Vasant Raiji, India’s oldest first-class cricketer, breathes his last aged 100
'It is with profound sadness that BCCI has learnt of the passing of Vasant Raiji, a former first-class cricketer and historian, who had turned 100 earlier this year on 26th January,' BCCI wrote
FollowMumbai: India’s oldest first-class cricketer Vasant Raiji passed away at his Mumbai home at the age of 100, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Saturday (June 13).
“It is with profound sadness that BCCI has learnt of the passing of Vasant Raiji, a former first-class cricketer and historian, who had turned 100 earlier this year on 26th January,” BCCI wrote on its website.
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In January this year, cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Steve Waugh had visited Raiji at his home in Mumbai when the former cricketer had turned 100.
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BCCI said, “When India played its maiden Test on home soil, Raiji was a 13-year-old kid, but managed to witness the historic match at the Bombay Gymkhana in 1932. He later made his first-class debut for Cricket Club of India against Central Provinces and Berar in Nagpur in 1939.
“Raiji made his Bombay (now Mumbai) debut in 1941 and opened the innings under the captaincy of Vijay Merchant. The match ended in a draw with Bombay securing a first-innings lead. Later in his career, Raiji also played for Baroda. He played 9 first-class matches and scored 277 runs with two fifties.
“After his retirement, he joined his family business, but passion for cricket kept him associated with the sport. He was a founding member of the Jolly Cricket Club in Mumbai and wrote books on Ranjitsinhji, Duleepsinhji, Victor Trumper, CK Nayudu an LP Jai. He also loved collecting books and memorabilia.”
