Born on 15th August 1975 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, former Test, ODI and T20 International player for India, Hemlata Mussaddilal Kala.
Hemlata made her First Class and Test debut against England and her and ODI debut against Ireland when India toured the British Isles in 1999. It was a quiet start to her ODI career with her best score of 33 not out against England at Trent Bridge. She would ultimately play in 78 ODIs and score 1023 runs at 20.87, with three half centuries.
It’s in the red ball format where Hemlata seemed most comfortable, nowhere more so than at Lucknow in 2001/02 when she scored 110 against England in what was just her second Test match. Against New Zealand in Vapi in 2003/04 she once again scored 110. It was the second of two centuries in Test cricket. Only Sandhya Agarwal has scored more Test centuries for India.
Over her seven Test career, Hemlata scored 503 runs at the very healthy average of 50.30. To go with her two centuries she also scored three half centuries, as well as chipping in with 5 wickets at 19.60 from her medium pace bowling.
Just the one T20 International match, resulting in 5 not out and 0-28. For sure, Hemlata’s greatest performances were in the Test format. Still engaged in the game post retirement, Hemlata has also been in administration and selection.
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