Left-arm spinner Rajinder Goel, the highest wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy history, passed away on Sunday, June 21. He was 77.
Pic courtesy: BCCI
Goel took 750 wickets in 157 first-class games, across a career that spanned from 1958/59 to 1984/85. He played first-class cricket till the age of 43, representing Patiala, Delhi, Southern Punjab and Haryana. Goel is regarded as one of the most celebrated figures in Indian domestic cricket to have not represented the country at the highest level.
In January 1965, Goel played in India’s unofficial Test against Ceylon, picking up 4-33 under the captaincy of Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi.
[breakout id=”0″][/breakout]
In all, he took 59 first-class five-wicket hauls and 18 10-wicket hauls, with best figures of 8-55, at an average of 18.58. He took 637 wickets in Ranji Trophy, but despite his stellar numbers, Goel never won the title as a player.
RIP #RajinderGoel ji. Master of his craft. Killer line & length in our terrain. Humility personified. Condolences to the entire family 🙏 pic.twitter.com/C3YJNPob1e
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) June 21, 2020
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly hailed the long-standing accomplishments of Goel, who received the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
“His staggering record tells you about his craft and the control he had over it,” Ganguly said. “To have a career that lasts more than 25 years and still be able to perform consistently speaks about his dedication and commitment towards the game. To be able to pick 750 wickets needs years and years of hard work and I salute his efforts. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family.”
