Hardy Sandhu is widely famous for his hit songs latest being the “Naah” featuring Norah Fatehi.

However, many don’t know that he started as a professional cricketer. Previously Hardy a.ka. Hardevinder Sandhu had to switch career due to an elbow injury.

Meanwhile, his cricketing career was brief, but it was enough to make him a well-known face in the Punjabi cricket circuit. Sandhu was an all-rounder, bowling right-arm medium pace.

He played three first-class games for Punjab scoring 312 runs and bagging 12 wickets.

However, his dream of playing for India got a blow after suffering an elbow injury, and he bid cricket adieu in 2007. Sandhu, further admitted he wanted to be a cricketer since his childhood.

He also admitted he shortened his name because it was difficult for his friends to pronounce.

“I played for around ten years. I have played for the U19 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. I tried to get treatment here, but kuch hua nahi,” Sandhu said to Circle of Bollywood last month.

“I then decided to go to Australia to see good doctors and physiotherapists. I got a student visa and thought if my treatment is successful, I will come back to India and start playing again. Warna padhai karke, wahin settle ho jaunga. I was there for 11 months and in that period, I met a lot of doctors, par kuch hua nahi. Wahan taxi bhi chalayi,” he added.

However, Sandhu’s switch to singing became a success. More than two crore people watched ‘Naah’ on Youtube in just 20 days.

Sandhu’s other song ‘Backbone’ was also a huge hit and has over 17 crores views on YouTube. He has also acted in a Punjabi movie called ‘Yaaran Da Catch Up’ which became a hit in Punjab.