New Delhi (NVI): Vasant Raiji, India’s oldest first-class cricketer, passed away at his residence in Mumbai today, at the age of 100.
Raiji passed away at 2.20 am in his sleep at his residence in Walkeshwar in South Mumbai due to old-age. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
He was born in Baroda and went on to play for the city as well as Bombay in the Ranji Trophy as an opener. On January 26 this year, Raiji had celebrated his 100th birthday.
Taking to twitter, Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar wrote, “I met Shri Vasant Raiji earlier this year to celebrate his 100th birthday. His warmth and passion for playing and watching Cricket was endearing.”
I met Shri Vasant Raiji earlier this year to celebrate his 100th birthday. His warmth and passion for playing and watching Cricket was endearing.
His passing away saddens my heart. My condolences to his family & friends. pic.twitter.com/fi8dOP7EnI
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 13, 2020
“His passing away saddens my heart. My condolences to his family & friends,” Tendulkar added.
Board of Control for Cricket in India also paid tribute to Raiji, “BCCI mourns the sad demise of Vasant Raiji. The former first-class cricketer and historian, who turned 100 this year in January, passed away in his sleep,” BCCI tweeted.
BCCI mourns the sad demise of Vasant Raiji. The former first-class cricketer and historian, who turned 100 this year in January, passed away in his sleep.https://t.co/0ywSprK93o pic.twitter.com/Z44gmP76X7
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 13, 2020
Raiji, a right-handed batsman, in total played nine first-class matches in 1940s. He made his debut for a Cricket Club of India team that played Central Provinces and Berar in Nagpur in 1939.
While his on-field career didn’t last long, Raiji went on to write a few books on early Indian cricket.
