Cricket coach Hemant Hadkar gave it his all

Hemant Hadkar

Renowned coach Hemant Hadkar, who guided several cricketers, including former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, ex-India selector Jatin Paranjape and current Mumbai all-rounder Shams Mulani, passed away at a private hospital on Wednesday. He was 95.

Hadkar was involved in guiding budding cricketers for over five decades and was active till the last couple of years, conducting nets at the Matunga Gymkhana every day. Southpaw Paranjape revealed how Hadkar helped him perfect his shots. "Hadkar sir was my first coach. He treated every player equally; wanted every child to play. He used to give me throw downs from 10 yards using his unique bowling action. He was so accurate, pitching perfectly on the same spot, which helped me perfect my batting," Paranjape told mid-day on Thursday.

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Mulani, who is an important player in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy quarter-final clash against Baroda starting today at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra Kurla Complex ground, visited Hadkar's home in Matunga on Wednesday afternoon. He said: "Since I was five, I used to go to Hadkar sir to practise. He made me play among boys who were older to me. That helped me boost my confidence. When I was around 10, he sent me to the Shivaji Park Gymkhana for the selection trials. I got picked. Later, I used to go to meet him, practise and take his blessings."

Dr Shailesh Shrikhande, who represented Mumbai at the U-15 and U-17 levels, was looking after Hadkar since the last few years. He and his friend Amit Gadkari have decided to continue the coaching nets at Matunga in memory of their coach.