Hemchandra Ramchandra Adhikari, popularly known as Hemu Adhikari, was an Indian cricketer who represented India in Test matches between 1947 and 1959. A right-handed middle-order batsman and occasional leg-break bowler, he was known for his sound technique, fielding ability, and disciplined approach to the game. After retirement, he had a long association with Indian cricket as a coach and team manager.
Key facts
| Full name | Hemchandra Ramchandra Adhikari |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 July 1919, Pune, Bombay Presidency, British India |
| Died | 25 October 2003 |
| Role | Right-handed batsman; right-arm leg-break bowler |
| Test debut | 1947, against Australia |
| Last Test | 1959 |
| Domestic teams | Baroda, Gujarat, Services |
| Profession | Cricketer; Indian Army officer; cricket coach and manager |
Background
Adhikari was born in Pune in 1919. He was educated at Fergusson College, Pune, and joined the Indian Army, eventually rising to the rank of Colonel. His military career ran in parallel with his cricketing one, and he represented the Services side in domestic cricket alongside other state teams.
Playing career
Adhikari made his first-class debut in the late 1930s and was a consistent performer in the Ranji Trophy, turning out for Baroda, Gujarat and Services across his career. He was part of Baroda sides that featured prominently in the domestic competition during the 1940s.
He was selected for India's tour of Australia in 1947–48, the country's first Test tour after independence, under Lala Amarnath. He went on to play in series against the West Indies, England, Pakistan and Australia in the late 1940s and through the 1950s. He briefly captained India in one Test match in 1958–59 against the West Indies at New Delhi, when the side was facing leadership instability during that home series.
Among his notable performances was a defiant Test innings in which he shared a long lower-order partnership to help save a match for India, an effort that came to be cited as an example of resilience in early post-independence Indian cricket.
Coaching and administration
After retiring from playing, Adhikari became closely associated with the development of Indian cricket as a coach and manager. He served as manager of the Indian team on overseas tours and was associated with the National Cricket Academy-style coaching programmes run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India in earlier decades. He played a role in mentoring a generation of Indian cricketers and was regarded as a meticulous tactician and disciplinarian.
Significance
Adhikari was among the small group of cricketers who bridged India's pre-independence and post-independence Test cricket eras. His combined contribution as a player, captain (briefly), army officer and long-serving coach-administrator made him an influential figure in the early decades of Indian cricket.
Related topics
- India national cricket team
- Ranji Trophy
- Baroda cricket team
- Services cricket team
- List of India Test cricket captains
- Board of Control for Cricket in India
References
- Wikidata entity: Q3521452