Hemang - composed and classy

By S. Dinakar

CHENNAI, FEB. 21. Watching the southpaw conjure runs at the crunch for India in limited-overs games with clean, crisp strokes on either side of the wicket, his equanimity in all situations, and the ease with which he has made the transition mentally from domestic to International cricket - the key really - it comes as little surprise that the National selectors have picked Hemang K. Badani in the Test squad for the demanding campaign against Australia.

Yes, Test cricket is the real test of a player's character, his willingness to slug it out in the middle, braving the odds, and Hemang will surely be looking forward to the challenge.

Several young and old names have wilted in the heat of the battle against the Steve Waugh-led all-conquering Australian side; apart from the quality of the varied attack, the men in the baggy green are past masters in winning the duels of the mind. It is pressure, pressure and more pressure, before the sluice gates are breached.

The onus is on Hemang to grab the chance as and when it comes, but then the 24-year-old cricketer has already displayed a distinct liking for the big stage.

Looking at the sequence of events over the last 12 months, that has seen Hemang catapult over a host of other aspirants, the effort that opened the door for the Tamil Nadu youngster was his big hundred against Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy semifinal.

Prior to that knock, Hemang was not even a regular member of the South Zone team in the Duleep and Deodhar competitions, but the 162 at the Wankhede Stadium changed all that.

A late-order Tamil Nadu collapse and an inspirational knock by maestro Sachin Tendulkar settled the issue in the home team's favour, but Hemang's innings-building skills, coupled with his delightful strokeplay, caught the attention of the selectors.

Soon came the National call for the Asia Cup in Dhaka, where Hemang did his reputation no harm. After not receiving too many opportunities during the ICC-KnockOut Trophy in Kenya and the Sharjah tournament that followed, his pleasing 42 in the league game against Sri Lanka, however, provided a glimpse of his ability.

And Hemang really took wing in the one-day home series against Zimbabwe, guiding India to a thrilling three-wicket victory in the Cuttack one-dayer with a fighting 58, and making a strokeful 77 in the Rajkot match, besides looking sharp on the field for most part.

Then came his rousing performance in the recent Challenger Series in Chennai where he had the home crowd in raptures with a string of quality knocks for India Seniors, the highlight being an unbeaten 88-ball 104 in the summit clash, as the India `A' bowlers learnt some harsh lessons. Man of the Series he certainly was! Positive in his approach, Hemang is comfortable against pace with a penchant for the pull - he has sharpened his skills on the hard MRF Pace Foundation pitches where he practices almost endlessly - and uses his feet well against the spinners.

The striking features of his batting are his body balance - both in offence and defence - and the time he has at his disposal. And Hemang is naturally elegant, especially on those occasions when he plays straight.

Well, timing is the key they say. Not just while striking the ball, but in one's performances too. At least so far, Hemang Badani cannot be faulted on both counts.

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