Narendra Hirwani, born on October 18, 1968, in Gorakhpur of Uttar Pradesh, was a leg-spinner, capable of right-hand batting also.

Hirwani hailed from a wealthy family in Gorakhpur. His father had a brick factory. When Narendra Hirwani was in his teens, he shifted to Indore. There he took coaching from the famous Madhya Pradesh cricketer, Sanjay Jagdale.

Hirwani`s inaugural first-class was for Madhya Pradesh, was phenomenal. Only at the tender age of 16, he collected 5 wickets.

Narendra Hirwani kept on improving his prowess. He obtained 23 wickets in an Under-19 three Test series, against Australia, during the next season .

A major turning point in his career , was certainly his combat for India U-25 against the visitor team of West Indies,in 1987-88. Although, he was unable to woo success in the first innings, in the second innings, the spin-expert , Narendra Hirwani, grabbed six wickets, at ease.

Hirwani`s stunning feats , got him invited for joining the Test team, of Indian cricket . 19 year old Hirwani`s fascinating debut in Test was indeed a great job . In this India Vs West Indies, Test, held at Madras (presently Chennai ), from 11-15 January, 1988, he captured 16 wickets, and created a record .

While his ODI debut was in the India Vs West Indies at Gwalior, on January 22, 1988. However, he could not maintain this fabulous form , at the time of the West Indies tour in 1989-90. He failed disappointingly, and could hardly benefit the team with his leg-spin, even in the spin-friendly wicket of the Port of Spain.

Hirwani was not that skilled to make the ball loop for the spin, since his speed was less. Still, occassionally, he could place himself on the high pedestals of glory. The last league match of the 1991-92 World Series Cup , is an instance of such remarkable deed.

Hirwani fascilitated Team India in fulfilling their set target of defeating the competent West Indies, to qualify for the final match. Hirwani`s splendid bowling, for the time being, became instrumental for reaching the desired destination. India needed to beat West Indies to qualify for the final. Hirwani`s flipper-attack stumped off the main batting strength , Brian Lara, and the zealous Richie Richardson, was rendered lbw by his puzzling leg-break.

Yet , Narendra Hirwani could not earn for himself a place in the Indian Team that played in the subsequent World Cup.

Post four years his 19991-92 achievement, Hirwani was provided the opportunity to show his mettle in the Test against New Zealand . He annexed 6 wickets for 59, even in this rain-worsened match.

In 1996, Narendra Hirwani , ventured to England . Again, in his own countryland, he was featured in two Tests against South Africa .

Moreover, Hirwani was included in the echelon of fourteen, chosen to play against Australia, but Narendra did not get selected in the team of the core eleven.

But domestic cricket is the circuit wherein Narendra Hirwani, exhibited his best. Alone in the Ranji Trophy tournament, he had set the dazzling statistics of 400 wickets, for Madhya Pradesh. He announced his retirement from first-class cricket, by the close of the 2005-06 season.

It should be noted, that he has gathered in his Test debut, a chest of 66 wickets in the 17 Tests that he has participated. This fairly talented player has infact given cricket-lovers, some of the wonderful bowling glimpses in Indian cricket .