Chandigarh, March 28
Ninteen-year-old Gurinder Sandhu has done it what no other Indian has done it so far. Son of a cabbie, the lanky right arm pacer, of Punjabi- origin, has bagged the prestigious Steve Waugh Medal as the best New South Wales cricketer for the year 2012-13.

Sandhu is the first Australian of Indian origin to represent the country at the international level. He won the medal with 146 votes, toppling Australian wicketkeeper Bradd Haddin by three wickets. It’s also a recognition of his talent that he is the first rookie to win the medal at the awards ceremony in Doltone House on Thursday. The 1993-born Sandhu, a resident of Blacktown, New South Wales, is kind of hit-the-deck-bowler. Sandhu likes to run in hard and deliver it at express pace. Sandhu has played just two first class matches (Sheffield Shield) with a best figure of 5/31. He has played six List A matches and three T20 matches.

Gurinder made his first-class debut in March and took 14 wickets in four Ryobi Cup games for his state New South Wales. The pacer also played an important role in the Australia team at the 2012 Under-19 World Cup. Not only Gurnider’s success, Thursday has been a great day for the cricketers from the region. While Harmanpreet Kaur from Moga has become the captain, Sushma Verma, wicketkeeper-batswoman has done Himachal Pradesh proud by being the first player from the state to make it to the national team.