Name:

Ranjitsinhji, Kumar S

Nickname:

Ranji

Date of Birth:

10 Sep 1872

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Sadodar, Kathiawar, Kathiawar Agency, British Indian Empire

Date Died:

02 Apr 1933

Career:

Test: 1896 - 1902
First Class: 1893 - 1920

Teams:

Sussex (Regional)
England (Country)

1920: Prince Ranjitshinji batting

Ranjitshinji: The Prince who invented the leg glance

Prince Ranjitshinji came from ancient Rajput stock and was born on September 10, 1872 in Sarodar, Kathiawar, India.

He was was a graceful batsman who had supple wrists and a good eye. His invention of the leg-glance went against the age-old custom of hitting back in the direction from where the bowling came from. He invented new angles on both side of the wicket as his late cut was equally deft.

He was sent to England and won a Blue at Cambridge University. He made 77 and 150 on his debut for Sussex. He ended captaining Sussex for 5 seasons, enjoying many memorable partnerships with his close friend, C B Fry.

Ranji made his Test debut against the Australians in 1896. Having made 62 in the first innings, he struck 23 boundaries in a memorable unbeaten 154 second time around.

In the Golden Age of Cricket, he was the brightest light, passing 3,000 runs in both 1899 and 1900 in exquisite style. He passed 1000 runs in a season in all 12 full seasons that he played, including during the Ashes tour of 1897/98. He made his highest test score of 175 at Sydney in 1897.

In 1915, Ranji sufferered a hunting accident in Yorkshire, which resulted in him losing his right eye. He continued to play for Sussex until 1920. His nephew, Prince Duleepshinji also played for England.

Ranji scored 24, 692 runs in his 307 first class games at an average of 56.37. He took 133 wickets with his slow right arm spinners at an average of 34.59, with best bowling figures of 6 for 53.

Ranji died aged 60 on April 2, 1933 at the Jamnagar Palace in his home state of Nawangar. His lasting legacy in the country of his birth is that that the 'Ranji Trophy', first-class competition for cricket in India, is named after him.

Source: CricketCrowd Staff Reporter