Mumbai, Jun 13 (UNI) India’s oldest first-class cricketer,Vasant Raiji, passed away in his house at Walkeshwar in south Mumbai on Saturday due to old age.
He was100 years old and is survived by his wife and two daughters.
His cremation took place at the Chandanwadi crematorium in south Mumbai this afternoon which was attended by a small group of his relatives and friends.
Born on January 26, 1920 in Vadodara, Gujarat — Raiji played first-class cricket between 1939 to 1950. He featured in nine matches, scoring 277 runs at an average of 23.08.
He had the highest score of 68 runs and opened batting for Baroda and Bombay in the Ranji Trophy.
His brother Madan was also a first-class cricketer.
After the demise of B.K Gurudachar in February 2016, Raiji became the oldest first-class cricketer in India.
On his 100th birthday in January 2020, cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Steve Waugh paid him a visit to honour him on his special achievement. He later became the oldest living-cricketer in March 2020, following the death of John Manners.
Raiji was also a writer and wrote several articles on the sport after his retirement from cricket.
By profession, he was a chartered accountant and wrote a few books on the subject.
Former Team India cricketer and legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar expressed his deepest of condolences on the demise of Raiji on social media and expressed his thoughts on how Raiji's passion for playing 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 and friends," Tendulkar tweeted.
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