Ranjitsinhji – The Midsummer Night’s Dream of Cricket
Trivia:
Ranjitsinhji was also known as Ranji, played 15 Test matches for England between 1896 and 1902. He scored 989 runs with an average of 44.95 in Test cricket. He also represented Cambridge University, and played county cricket for Sussex. Ranji scored 24692 runs, averaging 56.37 in First-Class cricket, which included 72 centuries and 109 half centuries. He is considered as one of the finest batsmen of all time. Ranji was the ruler of the Indian princely state of Nawanagar from 1907 to 1933 as well. In 1897 Ranji produced the cricket’s classic ‘The Jubilee Book of Cricket’.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Invention of Leg Glance:
Ranjitsinhji was an unorthodox player and it is believed that he introduced late cut, leg glance, as well as the back-foot defence in cricket. He developed the leg glance during spring 1892. He used to tie the right leg to the ground and moved his left leg and could flick the ball behind his legs. Ranji scored heavily using the leg glance.
Ranji Trophy, the first-class cricket tournament in India, was named after him and inaugurated in 1935 by the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.
Embed from Getty ImagesReferences:
Featured Image Credit: George Beldam (resized as per the need and changed the background)