Hanumant Singh played domestic first-class cricket for Madhya Bharat and then Rajasthan and Central Zone, and was known as "Chhotu" as a result of his short stature. He batted well from the back foot, particularly working the ball on the leg side.
He made his Test debut in the 4th Test against England at Delhi in February 1964, scoring 105 and so becoming the fifth Indian to make a Test century on debut, emulating Lala Amarnath, Deepak Shodhan, A. G. Kripal Singh and Abbas Ali Baig.[7] Later that year, he reached 94 in his first Test against Australia, out of a total of 193.[8]
He also played at home against New Zealand in 1964–65 and against West Indies in 1966–67, and toured England in 1967. However, like many other prominent Indian players, he was surprisingly excluded from the 1967–68 tour to Australia.[9] Recalled to play against New Zealand at Bombay in September 1969, he scored 1 and 13, caught behind both times off the fast bowling of Dayle Hadlee, and did not play Test cricket again. He never scored another test century.
He was captain of Rajasthan in three Ranji Trophy finals, but lost each time.[10] He also captained Central Zone to its first victory in the Duleep Trophy in 1971–72. In the Ranji Trophy final in 1966–67, he scored 109 and 213* against Bombay. His older brother, Suryaveer Singh, made 79 and 132 in the same match, and they shared partnerships of 176 and 213. Hanumant Singh retired from first-class cricket in 1979.[11]
