Hardikar represented India in two Tests against West Indies in 1958–59. He was dismissed by Roy Gilchrist off the very first ball that he faced in Test cricket. He then took a wicket with his third ball in Test cricket by dismissing Rohan Kanhai. In the second innings, he scored 32* and added 85* with G.S. Ramchand which saved India from a possible defeat.
In the next Test at Kanpur, Hardikar was hit on the head by a beamer from Wes Hall. Hall had been angered by no-ball calls from the umpire Mohammad Yunus. The ball hit Hardikar behind his left ear and knocked him down.[1][2] He played no more international matches but was indirectly involved in the controversy that led to the resignation of Polly Umrigar later in the series.
Hardikar played for Bombay from 1955–56 to 1967–68. In the Ranji final in his first year, he took a career best 8 for 39 against Bengal. He captained Bombay in twelve matches, winning five and drawing the rest. Bombay won the title in 1965–66 and 1967–68 under his captaincy.
