Name Hindi: नरेंद्र हिरवानी / Gender Man
Narendra Hirwani
Narendra Deepchand Hirwani is a former international cricketer who represented the Indian cricket team from 1988 to 1996. He was born on October 18, 1968 in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. A right-arm leg spin bowler known for his peculiarly deceptive googlies and classic leg-breaks, he secured many memorable moments in cricket history.
Career Highlights:
- Hirwani’s debut remains historic, capturing a record-breaking 16 wickets against the West Indies during the fourth Test in Madras in early January 1988.
- In June of the same year, he participated in a One Day International (ODI) match against New Zealand where his performance garnered attention.
- His international career stretched out over eight years with ups and downs while holding stiff competition within Anil Kumble and Venkatapathy Raju.
- Despite unpredictable fluctuations in form, he took more than 60 wickets in total test matches at an impressive average of around 30 runs per wicket.
- The period between 1995-96 saw one of the high points of Hirwani’s ODI career when he successfully achieved a bowling analysis of four for 43 against South Africa in Cape Town.
Post-retirement Learnings:
His retirement phase saw him evolve into a mentor helping young players perfect their craft. Serving as a selector for Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association soon after his retirement supplemented this transformation. Currently, Hirwani serves as a spin bowling coach for National Cricket Academy based out of Bengaluru.
Legacy:
After years of showing his technical expertise and cricketing prowess to millions around the world, Narendra Hirwani’s legacy lives on. His debut remains etched in everyone’s mind producing one of the finest bowling performances of all time. Despite the low ebbs during the later part of his career, he has won respect for his dedication and passion for the game.
Awards You Should Know About:
- Hirwani’s record-breaking performance on his Test debut earned him a position in Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack as one of their cricketers of the year 1988.
- In 1996, he received an award from Madhya Pradesh Government for doing exceptional work in Sports.
While Narendra Hirwani’s international cricketing spans less than a decade, his impact has been enduring, both on and off the field. A sharp understanding of spin bowling coupled with resilience to counter obstacles ensured that he retired not only as a skilled sportsman but also as a revered mentor whose knowledge continues to guide future generations.
