Indian Cricket's Forgotten Hero - Hanumant Singh. Read About His Tragic Story
Dec 28, 2024, 22:22 IST
Hanumant Singh: Indian Cricket's Gracious Artist
Hanuman Singh born at Banswara, princely state of Rajasthan, on March 29, 1939, was not just a batsman per se. He was one of a dynasty, a lineage headed by eminent cricket legends KS Ranjitsinhji and KS Duleepsinhji. Perhaps the royal ensconce reflected in his batting style - graceful, like a painter at work.
He could debut in the 1963-64 Test series against England, and score a colossal 105 in his first innings, thus becoming the fifth Indian to achieve a century on his debut. Such strokes were as effortless as his footwork was nimble, and he enchanted all cricket-lovers. The most important would have been his 94 against Australia in 1964, when from 24/4 he helped India to stabilize its fortunes for he was considered as one of the most challenging innings he has played.
Despite a promising start, Singh never scored a second Test century, but his contributions remained pivotal, including impressive knocks against New Zealand in 1965. A true connoisseur’s delight, his batting symbolized grace and artistry, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cricket.
Hanumant Singh was one of the most fashionable Indian cricketers with a rare sense of elegance in his stroke play, especially on the back foot. He burst into the scene in his very first Test series against England, and later on, his skill, which earned his adaptability against the great West Indies bowlers, like Lance Gibbs and Garfield Sobers became all the more impressive. Unfortunately, though, these fine beginnings, his international career went through a lot of inconsistency, and even as it turned out, it ended under controversial conditions as far as representative action for India went.
In 1967, after a very fruitful Ranji Trophy season, when he became the first batsman to hit a century and double century in the same match, Hanumant was dropped from the Australian tour for so-called fitness reasons after passing several tests. That devastated him, and his heart was not in the game anymore. He was, of course, recalled for a brief spell in 1969, but by then he had lost the way in personal terms, and his career in Tests wound up.
After retirement, Hanumant had been involved in cricket as captain, coach, selector, and match referee. He took the Rajasthan and Central Zone teams to numerous success in domestic cricket and managed the Indian team during its 1982-83 West Indies tour. He was also known for his deep insights into the game, having coached Kenya to a sensational upset victory over the West Indies in the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
His international career was short-lived, but Hanumant created, with his graceful batting, a sharp cricketing mind, and gentlemanly demeanor, a monument that still stands today. His contemporaries, such as Bishan Singh Bedi and Ajit Wadekar, extolled his elegance and worth to Indian cricket. He passed away in 2006, leaving behind memories of being one of his times-most underrated players.
Hanuman Singh born at Banswara, princely state of Rajasthan, on March 29, 1939, was not just a batsman per se. He was one of a dynasty, a lineage headed by eminent cricket legends KS Ranjitsinhji and KS Duleepsinhji. Perhaps the royal ensconce reflected in his batting style - graceful, like a painter at work.
He could debut in the 1963-64 Test series against England, and score a colossal 105 in his first innings, thus becoming the fifth Indian to achieve a century on his debut. Such strokes were as effortless as his footwork was nimble, and he enchanted all cricket-lovers. The most important would have been his 94 against Australia in 1964, when from 24/4 he helped India to stabilize its fortunes for he was considered as one of the most challenging innings he has played.
Despite a promising start, Singh never scored a second Test century, but his contributions remained pivotal, including impressive knocks against New Zealand in 1965. A true connoisseur’s delight, his batting symbolized grace and artistry, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cricket.
Hanumant Singh was one of the most fashionable Indian cricketers with a rare sense of elegance in his stroke play, especially on the back foot. He burst into the scene in his very first Test series against England, and later on, his skill, which earned his adaptability against the great West Indies bowlers, like Lance Gibbs and Garfield Sobers became all the more impressive. Unfortunately, though, these fine beginnings, his international career went through a lot of inconsistency, and even as it turned out, it ended under controversial conditions as far as representative action for India went.
In 1967, after a very fruitful Ranji Trophy season, when he became the first batsman to hit a century and double century in the same match, Hanumant was dropped from the Australian tour for so-called fitness reasons after passing several tests. That devastated him, and his heart was not in the game anymore. He was, of course, recalled for a brief spell in 1969, but by then he had lost the way in personal terms, and his career in Tests wound up.
After retirement, Hanumant had been involved in cricket as captain, coach, selector, and match referee. He took the Rajasthan and Central Zone teams to numerous success in domestic cricket and managed the Indian team during its 1982-83 West Indies tour. He was also known for his deep insights into the game, having coached Kenya to a sensational upset victory over the West Indies in the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
His international career was short-lived, but Hanumant created, with his graceful batting, a sharp cricketing mind, and gentlemanly demeanor, a monument that still stands today. His contemporaries, such as Bishan Singh Bedi and Ajit Wadekar, extolled his elegance and worth to Indian cricket. He passed away in 2006, leaving behind memories of being one of his times-most underrated players.
