Renowned coach Hemant Hadkar, who guided several cricketers, including former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, ex-India selector Jatin Paranjape and current Mumbai all-rounder Shams Mulani, passed away at a private hospital on Wednesday. He was 95.

Hadkar was involved in guiding budding cricketers for over five decades and was active till the last couple of years, conducting nets at the Matunga Gymkhana every day. Southpaw Paranjape revealed how Hadkar helped him perfect his shots. “Hadkar sir was my first coach. He treated every player equally; wanted every child to play.  He used to give me throw downs from 10 yards using his unique bowling action. He was so accurate, pitching perfectly on the same spot, which helped me perfect my batting,” Paranjape told mid-day on Thursday.