Sandeep Patil - Interesting Facts, Trivia, And Records

Sandeep Patil, who celebrates his birthday on 18th August, was one of the best hard-hitting middle-order batters in the Indian batting lineup. His contribution to cricket has not only been limited as a player but as a coach, and a selector as well. 

Here are some interesting facts, trivia, and records about Sandeep Patil: 

1) Sandeep was born in 1956 in Mumbai. His father, Madhusudan Patil, was a former first-class cricketer, national-level badminton player. He was a skilled tennis and football player as well. 

2) While playing against Saurashtra at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, Sandeep Patil smashed one six that cleared the stadium and landed on the hockey ground outside. He went on to score his career-best first-class score of 210 from 205 balls.

3) In Manchester 1982, Patil hit England's legendary fast bowler Bob Willis for six fours in an over (4440444) - the fourth was a no-ball. He remained 129 not out and got adjudged man of the match later. 

4) Sandeep Patil hit 102 sixes in the 1978-79 season across competitions. In one game that was being played at Parsee Gymkhana, Patil smashed 21 sixes. During his onslaught, Patil's one six sailed over the Marine drive into the Arabian Sea. 

5) In the Nagpur test against Pakistan in 1983-84, Patil was included in the playing at the last minute. However, he was in another city, making it impossible for him to reach in time. With an influence of a politician, Patil was provided a state plane and he finally joined his team - just before the stumps on day 1. 

6) Post his retirement, Sandeep Patil coached the Indian team and the 'A' team. Patil also became the coach of Kenya and guided them into the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup. 

7) Patil played the main lead role in a Bollywood movie - Kabhie Ajnabi The, alongside Poonam Dhillon and Debashree Roy. Reportedly, he even refused to participate in the West Indies tour of 1983 since he was occupied with shooting. 

8) In 2012, Sandeep Patil was named the chairman of selectors. He remained in that role for four years and made many major decisions like investing in youth players.