Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji - Cricketer
Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji was born on the 10th September 1872 in Sarodar, Kathiawar, India. He was born into Indian royalty.
In 1890 Ranji arrived in England to study at Trinity College Cambridge. Whilst in Cambridge he joined and played for Cambridgeshire County Cricket Club – his batting style was different than the norm but effective. Outside of cricket Ranjitsinhji's lavish lifestyle led to debt and financial struggles causing him to leave Cambridge University in 1894 without graduating. Despite his financial challenges Ranjitsinhji's cricket career thrived. Fans gave him the nick name 'Ranji'.
Ranji made his first-class debut for Sussex in 1895, he quickly became one of the most admired batsmen in England. That same year he scored a century for Sussex. In 1896 Ranji became the first Indian to play Test cricket for England making his debut against Australia. In 1899 Ranji scored over 3,000 runs in a single English season, he was the first batsman to do so.
29th May 1902 England vs Australia
Ranjitsinhji 2nd right front row
Ranji wasn’t just a sportsman; he was also a prince. In 1907 he became the ruler of Nawanagar and was faced with balancing his royal duties with cricket.
However, Ranji’s legacy is complex. Despite breaking racial and cultural barriers in English cricket colonial attitudes ran deep and his success didn't shield him from racism. He was challenged with balancing the demands for supporting the Independence Movement in India, and the growing hostility towards British colonial rule. with appeasing the British.
Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji passed away on the 2nd April 1933.