The Sydney Thunder have announced Gurinder Sandhu has signed on for two more years in their fluorescent green.
Retaining Sandhu will excite Thunder fans after watching him take 18 wickets in 11 games last season, including a hattrick against the Perth Scorchers.
Upon re-signing, Sandhu explained that his form last season was due to him believing his career was on the line.
โAt the beginning of last season, it felt like I was on my last chance,โ Sandhu told theย Sydney Thunder Website.
โThe year before I was delisted for a state contract, and a week before the BBL started I picked up a replacement contract with the Sydney Sixers, for which I was extremely thankful.
โLast summer was the same. Sydney Thunder offered me a BBL contract just two months before the season started, and that hit me hard. I realised everything came down to me showing what I can do.
โEven though I had no idea of whether I'd get a game, I made sure I ticked all the boxes I needed to. My mindset was simple: if I was picked to play for Thunder, I was going to step onto the field knowing I was ready to go.โ
Safe to say, the 29-year-old took his chance with both hands, leading him to focus on finding a way back into the international picture to add to his two ODI caps for Australia.
โDoing well for Sydney Thunder is my main focus,โ he said.
"But, I definitely want to play for my country again".
Head of the Sydney Thunder, Andrew Gilchrist, added that keeping on a player like Sandhu highlighted the team's diversity and noted the fan's endearment to him.
โGurinder had an outstanding 2021/22 summer for Sydney Thunder and also his adopted state, Queensland,โ Gilchrist told the team website.
โHe consistently proved himself in all conditions and against top quality opposition.
โHowever, as someone who was born Sydney's western suburbs, and whose father emigrated from India to provide his family with opportunities, Gurinder truly represents a strong part of Thunder Nation.
โHe's a genuine crowd favourite, and as a valued member of Thunder we look forward to seeing him achieve the goals he's set himself.โ
The BBL begins December 13 when Sandhu's Thunder take on the Melbourne Stars in Canberra.
