Hemang Badani

Hemang Badani is a polished middle-order batsman and a sleek fielder whose two years in international cricket were characterised by a calm head and inconsistency. At 23, Badani came into an Indian one-day side in the throes of change post match-fixing, and instantly seemed prepared for the void left down the order by the absence of Ajay Jadeja. Upright, and given to scoring in the V, Badani proved adept at remaining not out, and his high point was a wonderfully paced hundred against Australia at Pune in 2001-02. Subsequently his form became patchy and he was edged out of the squad as other youngsters seized their day. Yet, a grinding hundred in the Ranji final of 2002-03, followed immediately by a good tour of England as vice-captain of the A team, meant he was in with a chance again. He came back for one game against Pakistan, before once again going back to riding the pine. Badani's Test career, which began inexplicably as an opener in Zimbabwe in 2001, stalled after a further three (ordinary) matches against Sri Lanka later that year. He last played for India during the tour of Pakistan in 2004 and was out in the wilderness again. He jeopardised his career by signing for the rebel Indian Cricket League in 2007, representing the Chennai Superstars. He accepted the BCCI's amnesty offer and quit the league in 2009, along with a host of other Indian players. He played for Rajasthan in the 2009-10 Vijay Hazare Trophy and bagged an IPL contract with Chennai Super Kings.
Rahul Bhattacharya January 2010