Harrdy Sandhu, who portrays Madan Lal in 83, played for India U19 alongside Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara

Goosebumps are something that fans would have got after watching the first trailer of 83, the upcoming sports drama based on Team India’s underdog victory at the 1983 Cricket World Cup. The Ranveer Singh-starrer features a plethora of actors, who’ll be portraying some of the biggest names in Indian cricket. Hence, expectations are sky-high from the Kabir Khan-directorial.

Meanwhile, Harrdy Sandhu, who makes his acting debut through this film, plays the role of all-rounder Madan Lal. Sandu has already made a name for himself in the music industry and hence, fans are exciting to see him on the silver screen. Harrdy’s rise to the top wasn’t smooth at all as he had to tackle several challenges before getting the fame.

Interestingly, Sandhu had played for India’s Under-19 cricket team and was even on track to play professional cricket. However, a side-track injury brought his cricket career to the halt and Sandhu subsequently went into music. Notably, the singer-turned actor has even played with the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ishant Sharma, who are established Indian cricketers now.

 I could have easily played in IPL: Harrdy Sandhu

“I played for around 10 years. I have played for the U-19 cricket team with Shikhar Dhawan. He was my roommate, and I have also played with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ishant Sharma. But in 2006, I had an elbow injury. I was a fast bowler and the injury was on my right arm,” Harrdy told The Times of India in 2018.

“Harrdy then decided to go to Australia, where he worked as a cab driver. “During that time (when he went to Australia), IPL had started and all those who were junior to me, unka bhi selection ho gaya (they were selected). I felt really bad. I could have easily played in IPL,” he continued. Sandhu did return to India to give his cricket career a kick-start once again, the injury didn’t allow him to do so. He subsequently decided to give singing a shot.

“I started training and got back into the team playing the Ranji Trophy. But three days before the match, I received the same injury,” he told Mumbai Mirror in 2020.

“In 2010, I started learning music again and continued learning till 2011. I finally came up with my first album in 2012. Sometimes I do regret not being able to play for India because my coaches also felt that I could play for India. I had the potential, but it was all destiny,” he told TOI.