Hemang Badani posts emotional response for fan's video tribute

09/12/2016

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In his short international career, left-handed batsman Hemang Badani is most remembered for his brilliant century against a formidable Australian attack, in Pune in 2001. After a fan posted a video of the knock, Badani took to his official Facebook page to thank the fan for his efforts.

Despite representing India only in 40 one-day internationals in his career, Hemang Badani was always a treat to watch. A cool head with a penchant for scoring runs had made him a batsman worth noticing, after the match-fixing saga broke out in 1999. However, his inconsistency along with the constant chopping and changing in the Indian team, cost Badani his place in the side.

However, his innings against Australia in a match, at Pune, in 2001, is worth remembering. Badani showed his batting prowess by smashing the Aussie bowlers all around the ground, to score a well-composed century. Although, Mark Waugh and Mathew Hayden took the game away from India’s clutch by some superb batting display, Badani’s innings on the day, still remains as the best of his international career.

After a fan posted the video highlights of Badani’s ton against Australia, on YouTube, Badani shared the link on his official Facebook page as a gesture of appreciation for the fan's efforts in compiling the video.

He termed it as the most special day of his life and the innings that defines him.

Badani wrote on his Facebook wall,

"No matter how far we all have gone but there is one point where you would all relate me to.Yes, that India vs Australia match. Though it's over a decade old,I could still turn around and look back into it with a smile and hopefully it's same with you guys as well.

I had just played 10 matches for India then.Australia is always regarded as the most toughest and lethal opponents of all time in cricket. To prepare myself for the game itself was a task. I still remember that I never stopped practicing when I was tired ,I only stopped when I felt I was done for the day.

Before the match had begun, It was just another sunny day , For most of them it was just another match but for me it was a dream turned into a reality. As I walked into the pitch, infinite thoughts revolved within me and while I took stance I just told myself that let my faith be bigger than my fears and...... rest is history !

As I scored my first international ODI hundred, We all became a part of that memory which still exists today. Glad that I am being remembered all over for this century of mine and I am grateful about the fact that this match was never considered ordinary since then.

Here is the highlights of my innings. This 4 min video is indeed a treat to watch . Hoping to read your views in comments below."

Badani scored 867 runs in 40 ODIs, playing for India, scoring 4 fifties and his solitary hundred against Australia.