Hemang Kamal Badani, born on November 14, 1976, in Chennai, India, is a former professional cricketer who played for the Indian national team. Known for his proficient batting skills in the middle order and his exceptional fielding abilities, Badani’s career spanned from 2000 to 2004.
Badani made his international debut at the age of 23, amidst a period of transition for the Indian cricket team following the infamous match-fixing scandal. He quickly established himself as a reliable batsman, filling the void left by the absence of Ajay Jadeja. With his upright stance and ability to score effectively in the V-shaped region of the field, Badani often found himself remaining not out during his innings.
One of the highlights of Badani’s career came in 2001, when he scored a brilliantly paced century against Australia in Pune. His performance demonstrated his ability to handle pressure and proved instrumental in India’s victory. However, Badani’s form became inconsistent after this, leading to his exclusion from the squad as younger talents emerged.
In the 2002-03 Ranji final, Badani returned to form with an impressive century. This achievement, coupled with a successful tour of England as the vice-captain of the A-team, reignited hopes of an international comeback. He managed to make a brief comeback against Pakistan but once again found himself out of favor with the selectors.
Badani’s Test career, which began unexpectedly as an opener in Zimbabwe in 2001, failed to gain momentum after a series of underwhelming performances against Sri Lanka later that year. His last appearance for the Indian national team occurred during the 2004 tour of Pakistan, after which he found himself on the sidelines once again.
However, Badani’s career took an unexpected turn when he signed with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) in 2007, representing the Chennai Superstars. This decision jeopardized his future prospects in Indian cricket, but he eventually accepted the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) amnesty offer and left the league in 2009, along with several of his fellow Indian players.
In the 2009-10 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Badani represented Rajasthan and delivered notable performances. His outstanding performances caught the attention of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings, which secured his services for the tournament.
After retiring from professional cricket, Badani has remained involved in the sport. He has become a respected cricket commentator and analyst, providing insightful insights and observations about the game. Badani’s extensive knowledge and experience in the cricketing world continue to contribute to the growth and development of the sport in India.
Throughout his career, Hemang Kamal Badani showcased his skill and talent on the cricket field. Although his international career was characterized by occasional inconsistency, Badani’s contributions to Indian cricket and his unwavering dedication to the sport make him an important figure in the country’s cricketing history.
