Hrishikesh Kanitkar      

It is on the cards that even if he has a long international career, Hrishikesh Kanitkar's name will forever be linked with his winning boundary off Saqlain Mushtaq in fading light in India's memorable victory over Pakistan at Dhaka in January 1998 when the team chased a 300 plus target in the Independence Cup final. But even though Kanitkar is proud of that stroke, he would like to consolidate his place in the Indian team, something that he has not been able to do despite getting many opportunities. This is a pity because Kanitkar is potentially a fine utility cricketer, the kind who should be indispensable in the one day game and who could also be useful in Test cricket.

A gutsy left-hand middle-order batsman, an accurate offspinner and a brilliant versatile fieldsman, Kanitkar never established himself. Flown halfway round the world from West Indies, where he was leading the India A team, to represent the Indian team in Australia as a replacement for Ajay Jadeja was his biggest opportunity but despite a couple of good performances, he was not able to find a regular place in the side. Perhaps the fault lies with his temparament, for he is not without cricketing skills. Son of Hemant Kanitkar, who played two Tests against West Indies in 1974-75, Kanitkar is young and can still claim a regular place in the Indian side, if he tightens up his technique and improves his temparament.
Partab Ramchand

Feb 13, 2001

Kanitkar raises his bat to acknowledge the crowd on reaching his fifty

© Cricinfo Ltd

Feb 13, 2001

Hrishikesh Kanitkar plays an effective pull shot

© Cricinfo Ltd

Feb 13, 2001

Zaheer manages to shatter the stumps of Kanitkar

© Cricinfo Ltd

View the full index of related photos »