Hamang Badani

Born November 14, 1976
Major Teams India, Tamil Nadu
Known As Hemang Badani
Batting Style Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Test Debut 2001 against Zimbabwe at Harare
ODI Debut 1999/00 against Bangladesh at Dhaka



Profile
Badani made his first class debut against Kerala in the 1996-97 season following a fine showing for India Under-19 against South Africa at home. Before long he was stepping up a gear, playing for India A in the SAARC one-day tournament in Dhaka in 1998. His selection for the Asia Cup last May was not surprising, coming just after two elegant knocks of 162 & 63 in the Ranji Trophy semifinal against Mumbai. Badani looks ready to cut his teeth in the Test arena too. His biggest asset is his temperament, it keeps him cool even under greatest of pressures. Badani carves the ball around with a touch of elegance, discriminating in favour of the gaps, and his front foot drive played on the rise through cover is especially pleasing.

A Profile on Hemang Badani by B.V.Swagath

Hemang Kamal Badani - the stylish left hander from Tamil Nadu, has played some neat knocks
for India ever since he made his ODI debut in the Asia Cup 2000 at Bangladesh. Hemang got
into International Cricket after a scintillating 170 against a Mumbai attack which had Ajit
Agarkar and Abey Kuruvilla in the Ranji Trophy Semi Finals in 1999-2000. Following this,
he was picked in the Indian Squad for the Asia Cup 2000 at Bangladesh. Badani made his debut
in Indias first match of the Cup against Bangladesh at the Banghabandhu Stadium, Dhaka.
After Bangladesh made 249, Indian Skipper Saurav Ganguly took a brave decision in sending
the young rookie at No.3. Hemang played a polished knock of 35 off 51 balls with some
exquisite drives. But unfortunately for the young man, he had no place in the 11 after that
game. He had to compete for a middle order berth which was packed with the likes of Dravid,
Azhar, Jadeja and Robin Singh.

But with the exit of Azhar and Jadeja owing to the Match Fixing Saga, it opened the door for some fresh talent in the Indian team including Badani, Yuvraj, Sodhi, Sriram and others. A stroke filled hundred at Pune against a strong Aussie attack proved his class at the highest level. Hemang has a wide range of shots from cover drives, straight drives, cuts and pulls, flicks and sweep. Though his critics feel his footwork isnt special, nobody complains about his exquisite timing and the punch in his shots, except may be the bowlers .


After a poor run in the four overseas tests he played and in the home series against England, he was not in the team for 2 years, until the TVS Cup in 2003 following his good performances in the Challenger Series, A tours and series. Badani is now heading towards Pakistan after a close race with Rohan Gavaskar. Hemang Badani, overall can be described as a cool and composed middle order batsman, who can keep the tempo running with his sweetly timed shots and his quick running between the wickets. He is also a good fielder, especially a very smart outfielder. Badani is only 27 years now and he has age on his side to become a stable middle order batsman for India.

CHemang Badani is an gritty batsman and a left-arm spinner, fighting for a place in the tightly packed Indian middle order. He can generally be called upon to hit the ball hard and far, and displays a calm that belies his age.

He is a good fielder as well, having the right ingredients for a perfect one-day cricketer. His tendency to be inconsistent has kept him from commanding a regular place in the side.

Strengths: Calm under pressure; can bat almost anywhere in the order

Weaknesses: Tendency to play too many shots

What others say: 'Hemang Badani is another youngster who promises a lot.' Navjot Singh Sidhu, cricket commentator and former Indian Test player.

'His rightful place is in the middle order and one hopes the team management will stop considering him for the opener's job.' WV Raman, former Indian opener.