'My basic aim in life is to win'

Faisal Shariff

There is no such thing as bravery, they say; only degrees of fear. This man has none. He could well pass of as an Aussie just for the stomach that he possesses for a fight; for that never-say-die molecule in his structure.

Hemang Kamal Badani, a candid Gujarati left-hand, rock-solid batter from Tamil Nadu defeats all doubts about India's batting bench strength. For a batsman of his calibre to be warming the benches bolsters a positive future for Indian cricket.

Influenced by his father, who played lower division cricket in Madras, Hemang took to the game at eight. Accompanying his father in whites to the games, the southpaw, at 12, rushed through the gateway and batted alongside his father to draw a game. Badani Senior sensed exceptional talent and offered his son the option to change his school.

"The jump from Seventh Day Adventist to Santhome High School really turned things around for me," recollects the 24 year old, who joined the ranks of S Ramesh, S Sriram, T Kumaran and Ashish Kapoor at Santhome, during a freewheeling chat.

"I was playing against quality bowling and learnt a lot from my seniors," he adds.

Starting off as a medium pacer, the Madras-based lad switched to batting on the advice of his coach.

"Earlier, I was very short and the coach thought that I wouldn't be too successful as a pace bowler; so I decided to concentrate on my batting."

A 75-run stand with Balaji Rao in a Cooch-Behar Trophy game turned the spotlight on young Badani, who made his Ranji debut in the '96-'97 series. A roller-coaster ride explained his domestic performance the ensuing years.

"I was getting out after getting into the twenties and thirties in my first season. I managed a paltry 350 runs that season. The following season ('97-'98) was equally pathetic for me. I was immature; my confidence in my batting ability went to my head. There was an impish, young boy streak in me that had taken over. It was a great maturing lesson for me."

The 1999 season changed all that. He decided to play with his instincts, determined to survive and yet not give up on his stroke-making. Because that is his greatest strength: exploring that right balance between aggression and caution; to graft and attack.

With an unveiling calm beyond his years he says, "I am thinking more than I used to about my game. My basic aim in life is to win. To be mentally present when I'm playing the game at all times. I am very hungry for success."

Advice from former Aussie captain Greg Chappell, he says, helped him a lot.

"Greg Chappell influenced me a lot. He spoke to me at the MRF Pace Foundation, and his parting lines were, 'If your present is right, your future is bright'. He taught me to compartmentalize each delivery. 'Play every ball; your mind should be on every ball. Don't think about what you did to the earlier ball, what you might do with the next one; never premeditate a stroke. Make it as simple as possible because that is what batting is all about. Always back your instincts. Your instincts have the power to take care of your talent. If you can have a simple game, you will make it with ease. Just do your own thing,' he said."

At six feet, Badani literally stands tall with an ODI century under his belt, after coming in to take guard at number five. Connoisseurs and the Fourth Estate venerate him for his grit and ability to deliver under pressure. India coach John Wright is all praise for his fighting qualities.

Ask Badani about his maiden ton and the first words out of his mouth are, "What's the point, we lost the match. Had Laxman not been run out we would have had more runs on the board."

Candid statements from one who is in his first international season!

How did this kid crash the party? Where does the intensity and grit to play tough cricket come from?

"To play cricket in Tamil Nadu is one of the most daunting tasks. You have to be tough and fit for the hectic schedule. The various tournaments, the Madras league and the one day tournaments keep you busy through the year. The Chepauk wicket is easily one of the best in the country; hard and full of bounce. Even the MRF wicket, for that matter, is great; sharp and bouncy. The cricket here is very competitive and demanding."

Ask how he prepared for the Aussie tour and a vein opens in the youngster.

"I practiced with plastic balls on concrete, mixed up the balls to counter the ball in any condition. It is very difficult to play with the plastic ball.

"I sat up nights watching [Glenn] McGrath bowl and took down notes. I prepared for the delivery that comes across; worked out the pattern of how many bouncers McGrath bowls...

"I created a rough at the MRF ground and batted to counter [Shane] Warne and [Stuart] MacGill, had he come. I read the two googlies that he bowls, well. I faced fastish off-spin from 18 yards to counter Colin Miller," he informs, trying to fit all his words in one single breath.

Badani, however, confessed that failing to make the first 11 for the Test series was a big disappointment.

"I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't disappointed on missing out on the Test series after the kind of homework that I had done. But at the same time it was great just to be part of the team that stopped the mighty Aussies. That feeling alone was a sort of reward in itself," he says rather modestly.

Was it unnerving to think that he would be making his debut against the Aussies?

"Not a chance in hell that I would be scared. It's a simple bat and ball game. If they can bowl well, I can bat well too. I'll show them I'm good too," he replies, curling the air with his hands.

As he signs autographs, he ascertains that success hasn't gone to his head. Success to him is like a toy balloon among children armed with pins.

"You can never rest on your laurels," he explains, "The hunger to make runs should be the only focus of a batsman."

His willingness rotate the strike attests his lack of ego. 'Team' is his favourite four-letter word. Echoes his team mate V V S Laxman: "The way Hemang and the others pushed and egged us on at Calcutta in the second innings was inspiring. Every time he and the others ran on to the field with drinks or a fresh pair of gloves, they would ask us to hang in there. It helped me tremendously to see their support."

Having recently tied the knot with Sulakshna, a Madras-based Telugu lass, Badani explains that marriage has had a calming effect on him.

He records David Gower as his all-time favourite batsman, for the lazy elegance he exuded at the crease. "His style is absolutely pleasing to the eye. I also admire Rahul (Dravid) for his tenacity; in his own soft way he fights it out; seems to be a subdued character but yet is right there, fighting back."

Swathed in national colours, Badani now sits safely in the comfort of the Indian dressing room. Biding his time, hoping to realise his dream. Which is: "To keep playing for India for the rest of my life."

Of course, this is a beauty contest. There are no wrong answers.

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Mail Cricket Editor