History
THE ANNUAL RANJI CRICKET TOURNAMENT 2015
BACKGROUND
Prince Ranjitsinhji (Ranji) Maharajah of the State of Nawanagar in north-west India and cricket superstar, was the first head of state to visit the newly-established Irish Free State in July 1924. Ranji subsequently purchased Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara where he lived from 1924-1933.
This charismatic international politician and sportsman and his Indian entourage assimilated into life in Connemara. Ranji became a benevolent and much-loved employer in Connemara, where his memory is still revered today. His annual arrival was greeted with bonfires and celebrations. He was the guest of honour of the Irish Government at the first Tailteann Games held in Croke Park in 1924.
Author Anne Chambers’ book Ranji: Maharajah of Connemara (published in Ireland and India) brought the story of Ranji’s link with Ireland to light.
To honour Ranji’s efforts in bridging racial boundaries during his lifetime, both on and off the playing pitch, and to promote Irish-Indian relations today, Anne donated a perpetual trophy – The Ranji Trophy – for an annual cricket competition in his memory.
The event is organised by the Ranji Cricket Committee of Ireland (RCCI)
‘‘indisputably the greatest genius who ever stepped on to a cricket field…’’
THE LEGEND OF RANJI
From 1893 to 1912, in what is referred to as ‘the golden age of cricket’, one name dominated the cricketing world – Indian-born Ranjitsinhji, Jam Saheb of the State of Nawanagar in north-west India and known to his fans as ‘Ranji’.
Defying racism and prejudice Ranji became the first Indian selected to play test Cricket for England and during his career set batting records, some of which stand to this day.
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topped the English batting averages for 3 seasons in a row
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the first batsman to score 3,000 runs in a season (1899)
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had two centuries in a single match on the same day
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scored 72 centuries in first-class cricket
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scored an aggregate 24,692 runs in 500 innings, 62 times not out at an average of 56.37
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scored five double centuries in a season
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the first batsman to score 1,000 runs in a month twice in a single year
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the first batsman to score 11 centuries in a season (1900)
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first batsman to score 100 runs in same season in Test cricket
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the first sportsman to have an endorsement contract
‘‘Ranji is the batting wonder of the age. His play was a revelation to us, with his marvellous cutting and his extraordinary hitting to the leg. I have never seen anything to equal it…If the word genius can be employed in connection with cricket it surely applies to the young Indian batsman…’’ Wisden 1897