Hrishikesh Kanitkar is a former Indian cricketer and now one of India's best-known youth coaches. Hrishikesh Kanitkar was born on November 14, 1974, in Pune, Maharashtra. He is the son of Hemant Kanitkar, a former wicketkeeper who played two Tests for India. A left-handed batter and part-time off-spinner, he played 34 ODIs and 2 Tests for India between 1997 and 2000.
In 2026 he was head coach of the India Under-19 team that won the ICC Under-19 World Cup, beating England by 100 runs in the final in Harare on 6 February 2026. Later in the year he was part of VVS Laxman's coaching staff for the Indian men's team at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Playing career
Hrishikesh Kanitkar played as an all-rounder. He batted left-handed and bowled right-arm off-breaks. He made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka on 7 December 1997. He is best remembered for the winning boundary in the 1998 Independence Cup final against Pakistan in Dhaka, when India needed 3 runs from 2 balls.
He played his two Tests on India's tour of Australia, making his Test debut on 26 December 1999 in Melbourne. His last ODI was against Australia on 30 January 2000. In all he scored 339 runs and took 17 wickets in 34 ODIs, and scored 74 runs in 2 Tests.
Domestic cricket
In domestic cricket he played for Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and for Air India. He scored 10,400 runs in 146 first-class matches, with 33 centuries and a top score of 290 not out against Bihar in 2002-03. He captained Rajasthan to their first Ranji Trophy title in 2010-11, beating Baroda in the final. He announced his retirement in July 2015.
Coaching career
After retiring, Kanitkar coached Goa for the 2015-16 Ranji season and then Tamil Nadu from 2016 to 2019. As head coach of the India Under-19 team, he guided India to the Under-19 World Cup title in 2022 and to the final in 2024, where India lost to Australia. He also worked with the India women's team as a coach before the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup.
Hrishikesh Kanitkar in 2026
Kanitkar was head coach when India won the 2026 Under-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia, the country's sixth title at that level. India, captained by Ayush Mhatre, scored 411 for 9 in the final and bowled England out for 311. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made 175 and was Player of the Match. For the 2026 Asian Games, the BCCI named VVS Laxman head coach of the men's team, with Kanitkar among his assistants.
Hrishikesh Kanitkar Date of Birth: November 14, 1974
Hrishikesh Kanitkar Place of Birth: Pune, Maharashtra
Hrishikesh Kanitkar Father: Hemant Kanitkar
Hrishikesh Kanitkar Playing Role: All-rounder
Hrishikesh Kanitkar Batting Style: Left-hand bat
Hrishikesh Kanitkar Bowling Style: Right-arm offbreak
Hrishikesh Kanitkar Teams Represented: India, Air India, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan
Hrishikesh Kanitkar International Career: 34 ODIs (1997-2000), 2 Tests (1999-2000)
Hrishikesh Kanitkar Current Role: Coach, India Under-19 team
Frequently asked questions
Who is Hrishikesh Kanitkar?
Hrishikesh Kanitkar is a former India all-rounder who played 34 ODIs and 2 Tests. He is now a coach and led the India Under-19 team to the 2026 World Cup title.
When was Hrishikesh Kanitkar born?
Hrishikesh Kanitkar was born on November 14, 1974, in Pune, Maharashtra.
Who is Hrishikesh Kanitkar's father?
His father is Hemant Kanitkar, a former wicketkeeper who played two Tests for India.
Why is Hrishikesh Kanitkar famous?
He hit the winning boundary in the 1998 Independence Cup final against Pakistan in Dhaka, when India needed 3 runs from 2 balls.
How many matches did Hrishikesh Kanitkar play for India?
He played 34 ODIs and 2 Tests. He scored 339 runs and took 17 wickets in ODIs.
How many first-class runs did Hrishikesh Kanitkar score?
He scored 10,400 runs in 146 first-class matches, with 33 centuries.
Which Ranji Trophy team did Kanitkar captain to the title?
He captained Rajasthan to their first Ranji Trophy title in 2010-11, beating Baroda in the final.
Is Hrishikesh Kanitkar the India Under-19 coach?
Yes. He was head coach of the India Under-19 team that won the 2026 Under-19 World Cup, and he also coached the side to the 2022 title.
Who did India beat in the 2026 Under-19 World Cup final?
India beat England by 100 runs in the final in Harare on 6 February 2026. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 175.
Was Hrishikesh Kanitkar part of India's coaching staff at the 2026 Asian Games?
Yes. He was one of VVS Laxman's assistants with the Indian men's team at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
