Hemu Adhikari, who is also known as Colonel Hemchandra (Hemu) Ramachandra Adhikari, was born on 31st July 1919. He represented his country both as a player and the coach.
Hemu Adhikari was an Indian cricketer of Western origin, served for India in the cricket hemisphere for three decades. Hemu Adhikari was a talented right-handed batsman and occasional leg spin bowler. He made his first-class debut as a teenager before the outbreak of World War II in the 1936 to 1937 in the domestic season. Hemu Adhikari immediately demonstrated his abilities on the local stage but due to Second World War, he joined in the Indian Army. There, his career was interrupted.
Hemu Adhikari made his Test debut as a 28 year old in 1947 on India`s tour of Australia and immediately established himself as an important member of the squad, although his continued official role in the army restricted his availability for the team.
Hemu Adhikari was very good in playing spin bowling and courageous enough against fast bowling. Hemu Adhikari had some fine moments playing for India, including a national record 109-run last wicket partnership with Ghulam Ahmed in a Test against regional rivals Pakistan. Hemu Adhikari also captained for India in one Test match, scoring 63 and 40 runs while batting and taking three important wickets in a drawn game against the West Indies.
Batting Average
| Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | 100 | 50 | 6s | Ct | St | |
| Tests | 21 | 36 | 8 | 872 | 114* | 31.14 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| First-class | 152 | 236 | 28 | 8683 | 230* | 41.74 | 17 | 45 | 97 | 0 |
Hemu Adhikari took to coaching after retiring from first-class cricket - with a very good batting average of 41.74 - and was in charge of the Indian team as they established themselves on the world stage.
Hemu Adhikari guided the Indian Cricket team in the year 1971, to their first series against England. Hemu Adhikari was the major reason behind the development of such outstanding cricketers of Indian crocket scenario as Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Ravi Shastri.
Hemu Adhikari died in the year 2003, at the age of 84.
