Gurinder Sandhu makes the Cricket Australia XI, will face India

Sydney Thunder’s Gurinder Sandhu lands a sport on the Cricket Australia XI side to play India later this month.

Gurinder Sandhu - final send

When Gurinder Sandhu was growing up in Minchinbury he didn’t think he would one day be in the line-up for the Sydney Thunder let alone representing his nation.

Ahead of his third season with the Sydney Thunder, Sandhu said he was excited and honoured to be named in the Cricket Australia XI to play against India next week.

“I’m feeling pretty excited and also privileged to named in the CA XI side,” Sandhu said.

The fast bowler said he wasn’t sure what won him the spot on the squad but he knows he’s learning something new everyday.

Sandhu performs one of his cross-training moves at Prince Alfred Park in Sydney. Picture: Brett Costello.

Sandhu advised young hopefuls to work hard at every training session.

“I think I’ve gained a little bit of speed in my bowling ... fine tuning all of my skills.

“A big skill I’ve added is learning to plan for batsman. I’m learning something new every day.”

His hard work and finetuning has earned him praise from the CA’s national talent manager Greg Chappell.

“Gurinder Sandhu is a highly regarded fast bowler who has performed consistently well at domestic level and underage international level,” Chappell said in a statement released by Sydney Thunder.

“He was very impressive in the two four-day matches against South Africa A in August this year and we expect that he will perform well against this high quality team.”

The number 11 looks good on Gurinder Sandhu. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images.

The CA XI will face India at Gliderol Stadium in South Australia on November 24-25.

The full team line-up includes Ashton Turner (captain), Ryan Carters, Alex Gregory, Sam Grimwalde, Sebastien Gotch, Josh Lalor David Moody, Jonte Pattison, Gurinder Sandhu, Matthew Short, Kelvin Smith, and Nick Stevens.

Sandhu, who began playing grade cricket with the Blacktown City and District Cricket Association, encouraged any junior cricketer to work hard.

“If it’s just a training session, make sure you give it 100 per cent,” he said.

Sandhu is congratulated by his NSW teammates after dismissing David Hussey of Victoria during day three of the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

Gurinder Sandhu of NSW bowls during day three of the Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and New South Wales at the Melbourne Cricket Ground earlier this month. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images.