22 Interesting facts about KS Ranjitsinhji
22 Interesting facts about KS Ranjitsinhji: Not everyone is familiar with the cricketers of early 20th century, except some of the obvious cricketers like WG Grace, Sydney Barnes, Jack Hobbes and a few others. And one of the prominent ones to feature from India is Ranjitsingji, rulers of one of the princely state of British India, and more importantly, one of the first ever internationally acclaimed cricketer to come from India.
On his 143rd birth anniversary, here are 22 Interesting facts about KS Ranjitsinhji:
1. KS Ranjitsinhji was born to a Hindu Rajput farmer, Jiwansinhji and one of his wives. He was directly related to the ruling state of Nawangar (present day Jamnagar) through his grandfather.
2. He was close to being adopted as the heir of throne as the main heir was disinherited due to his violent tendencies.
3. KS Ranjitsinhji pursued his education in Bombay’s presidency at the school of Princes. There he excelled both academically and was introduced to cricket at a very young age of 10. He excelled at the given opportunities, and the then principal of the school was convinced that KS Ranjitsinhji was a prodigy, and decided to take him to England to continue his education and make a career out of cricket.
4. KS Ranjitsinhji was transferred to Cambridge school for his academic and to improve his skills in cricket, in 1888.
5. In 1889, KS Ranjitsinhji got his first exposure in English cricket, as he went on to represent as a batsman for Cambridgeshire County Cricket Club.
6. KS Ranjitsinhji went on to represent Trinity College in the year 1892, and averaged 44 with his bat for the first season, second highest amongst his peers.
7. Due to his excellent performances, he was nicknamed ‘Smith’ by his peers, and became very popular during his university career.
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8. KS Ranjitsinhji made his county debut for Sussex in 1895, scoring 77 and 150 runs in his first match against MCC. A year prior, his failure to give the bar examination terminated his allowances and was stranded in England. But his close friendship with multi-talented CB Fry eventually resulted in him getting more interested in professional cricket.
9. KS Ranjitsinhji made 1775 runs at an average of 49 in his first ever county season, and was in 4th position as far as national averages was concerned. He gained a lot of fans for his unorthodox gameplay.
10. He was particularly famous for his strokeplay on the leg side, and is widely attributed with the distinction of inventing and improving the much-used leg glance.
11. KS Ranjitsinhji made his Test debut for England in the year 1896 at Manchester. He had a dream debut, scoring 62 and 154 runs respectively in his first Test match. He became the first ever Indian player to play Test cricket for England.
12. Interestingly, his selection for the national team was blocked multiple times by MCC as he was considered just as a resident and never truly belonged to England.
13. Sadly KS Ranjitsinhji played his last of his 15 Tests against Australia in 1902, and managed to score just 6 runs. His failing health and obligations to the crown were the prime reasons of his international retirement. He scored 989 runs at a healthy average of 44 and managed to take a single wicket.
14. In 1903, he was given the administration of Nawanagar by the British and this nearly ended his cricket career. Due to his responsibilities towards the throne, he was constantly in and out of action. His first full season post 1902 was in 1908, thus showing that his responsibilities were elsewhere.
15. In his later years, he was in heavy debt to many in England, and was forced to pay out his debt. He returned to play in England In 1912, two years following his crowning in 1910. But age and bad health caught up with the batsman. Though he showed flashes of his best, he could not replicate his form.
16. He lost an eye during the World War I, as he accidentally shot his right eye during an animal hunt. That ate away the final years of his career.
17. KS Ranjitsinhji tried to make a comeback in 1920, but with only one eye, he found it difficult to focus on the ball, and eventually retired from playing cricket.
18. He scored 24,692 runs with an average of 56.37, which was the highest average by a player who had played his complete first class cricket in England, until Geoffery Boycott emulated him in late 1900’s.
19. He was also a more than decent bowler, managing to take 133 wickets.
20. Following ill health, KS Ranjitsinhji died in the year 1933, at an age of 60. He was unmarried, though he was engaged to a Britisher named Edith Borrisow for nearly 18 years. They latter broke up the relation in 1918.
21. His nephew, Duleepsinhji, followed his footsteps and eventually went on to represent both Sussex and England in 1920’s.
22. In 1934, on his honor, the BCCI declared the domestic first class tournament to be played for Ranji Trophy, which still holds the legacy.
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