Sandeep Madhusudan Patil, the dashing cricketer hailing from India, was not only a prolific batsman but also a useful medium-pace bowler. Known for his good looks, aggressive batting style, and penchant for big hits, Patil was a natural crowd-puller both on and off the field. Born on August 18, 1956, in Mumbai, India, Patil’s journey in cricket was nothing short of extraordinary.
Patil burst onto the international scene after making his Test debut for India, and on his very first tour, he exhibited his remarkable talent. In a stunning innings at Adelaide, Patil scored an outstanding 174 runs against formidable Australian bowlers Dennis Lillee and Len Pascoe. This knock was even more remarkable considering that in the previous Test, Patil had been struck by a bouncer from Pascoe after scoring 65.
Despite a moderate series against England in 1981-82, Patil made a comeback during the tour of England in 1982. At Old Trafford, he etched his name in cricket history by scoring an undefeated 129 runs and smashing 24 runs off Bob Willis in a single over, which included six consecutive boundaries. However, personal issues forced him to drop out of the Indian team during the tour of the West Indies in 1983.
Patil’s career took a significant turn during the 1983 World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in India’s historic triumph. However, his aggressive batting style was marred by occasional indiscipline, leading to a decline in his performance during the subsequent Tests against Pakistan and West Indies in 1983-84. Despite a decent showing against England in the following season, he was dropped after just two games and was never considered for Test cricket again. Nevertheless, Patil continued to impress in the shorter format of the game.
During his stint with the Bombay team, Patil showcased his leadership skills and captained the side with great success in the latter part of his first-class career. After retiring from cricket, he delved into coaching, serving as the coach of India A and later the Indian national team. He also took charge of the Kenyan national team, leading them to the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup.
Despite a brief return to India, Patil sought new challenges and coached the Oman national team in the Intercontinental Cup. Under his guidance, Oman qualified for the ICC Trophy after delivering strong performances in the ACC Trophy. Patil also dipped his toes into the controversial Indian Cricket League (ICL) by coaching the Mumbai Champs, before eventually cutting ties with the unofficial league in 2009.
Showing his versatility, Patil edited a Marathi sports magazine titled “Ekach Shatkar” and penned his autobiography, “Sandy Storm.” In recognition of his cricketing knowledge and experience, Patil was named chairman of the Indian national selection panel in September 2012.
With his impressive skills, Sandeep Patil left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. Though his international career may have taken some ups and downs, his contributions to the sport as a player, coach, and selector have made him a respected figure in the cricketing world.
