India’s oldest first class cricketer turns 99

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Not many people know of Vasant Raiji, he played just 9 first-class matches for Bombay and Baroda. He is indeed the oldest living first-class cricketer in India and today Raiji turned 99. He was born on 26th January 1920, when India was neither Independent nor a republic.
He has seen the history of entire Indian cricket with his eyes and he is an accountant by profession and later became a cricket historian. Not many are aware but Raiji is also a very prolific writer.

One of his book most popular books includes India’s Hambledon Men – on first ever tour undertaken by Parsi cricketers to England way back in 1886.

He recently spoke to Hindustan Times where he said he was very happy to see India’s test series victory in Australia. Vasant Raiji was 13 years old when India played their first test match in 1933 and he was 98 earlier this month when India won it’s very first series in Australia.

Beating Australia is a great achievement, all away series are difficult. Kohli is a fine, attacking batsman.” Raiji said.

His younger brother Madan Raiji, who died 10 days before his 89th birthday, also played 34 First Class matches for Mumbai.

SportsIndia team wishes Vasantji a very happy birthday.

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