Sandeep Patil - A Lifestory

Sandeep Patil is a former Indian cricketer, coach, and administrator, known for his aggressive batting style and significant contributions to Indian cricket in the 1980s. Born on August 18, 1956, in Mumbai, Patil rose to prominence during a period when Indian cricket was gaining momentum on the international stage. He was a righthanded batsman and a useful rightarm mediumpace bowler. Patil made his Test debut in 1980 against Australia and quickly established himself as a key member of the Indian middle order. He possessed a fearless approach to batting, often taking on the opposition's bowlers with audacious strokeplay.

One of the highlights of Patil's career was his performance during India's tour of Australia in 1980. He scored a memorable 174 in the Adelaide Test, displaying his aggressive intent and ability to dominate the Australian bowling attack. This innings cemented his reputation as a dangerous batsman capable of changing the course of a match. He was also a part of the Indian team that won the 1983 Cricket World Cup, although his contributions in the tournament were limited due to injury.

After retiring from international cricket, Patil transitioned into coaching and administration. He served as the coach of the Indian national cricket team for a brief period and also coached the Kenya national cricket team, guiding them to the semifinals of the 2003 Cricket World Cup. His coaching stint with Kenya was particularly noteworthy as he helped them achieve unprecedented success on the world stage. Furthermore, Patil served as the chairman of the selection committee for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), playing a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent for the national team. His experience as a player and coach provided him with valuable insights into the game, which he utilized in his administrative roles to contribute to the development of Indian cricket.