Name Hindi: हेमू अधिकारी / Gender Coach
Hemu Adhikari: The Veteran of Indian Cricket
Born on October 31, 1919, Hemchandra Ramachandra Adhikari, commonly known as Hemu Adhikari, was a distinguished cricket player in the Indian team. Born in Bombay (now Mumbai), he made significant contributions to Indian cricket both as a player and as an instrumental coach.
Early Life & Career
Hemu came from a sporting family background. His passion for cricket began at a very young age when he started playing Ranji Trophy matches representing Maharashtra and Services. This was around the time World War II broke out, which interrupted his budding career as he joined the British Indian Army. However, this did not deter him from pursuing his passion for cricket.
International Debut
Making his Test debut on December 20, 1947, against Australia at Sydney, Hemu played as part of India’s first international tour post-independence. He went on to represent India in 21 test matches spanning over eight years till January 16, 1959.
- Batting Style: Right-hand bat
- Bowling Style: Legbreak googly
- Role: Middle-order batsman
Career Highlights
A disciplined man with excellent leadership skills and fielding techniques, Hemu served predominantly as a middle-order batsman. In his tenure of international cricket:
- Total Runs Scored: He managed to score 872 runs with an average of 31.14.
- Highest Score: His highest score was 114 not out against Pakistan in Delhi, India.
- Catch Success: He took over 15 catches with some exceptional fielding skills.
Post Career Life and Contributions
Hemu Adhikari retired from international cricket following a series against New Zealand in 1955-56. Following his retirement, he dedicated himself fully to coaching aspiring players—a role he enjoyed until the late period of his life. Adhikari is often credited for having nurtured several talents who went on to become stars in Indian cricket, such as Karsan Ghavri and Dilip Vengsarkar.
He also served as a selector for the Indian national team and was part of the selection committee that picked Kapil Dev for his debut Test match. Thus, Hemu’s contribution extended beyond just playing—he played significant roles in shaping many significant periods of Indian cricket history.
Hemu Adhikari passed away on February 25, 2003 — but left behind an inspiring legacy which continues to motivate aspiring cricketers across generations.
