Indian Domestic Cricket's Spin Bowling Legend Rajinder Goel Passes Away At 77

"It is a huge loss for the game of cricket and a personal loss for me which has left a huge void. He was one of the best, if not the best left-arm spinner that this country has seen and his record of 750 first-class wickets speaks for his tremendous ability," former BCCI President Ranbir Singh Mahendra said.

Rajinder Goel

One of Indian cricket's greatest spinner Rajinder Goel passed away on Sunday after battling prolonged illness for quite some time. Goel was 77 and breathed his last at his residence. A left arm spinner of immense pedigree, Goel was a prolific wicket taker at the domestic level but quite never managed to get selected into the Indian national team. With a staggering 750 wickets in a stellar 24—year domestic career for Haryana, Punjab and Delhi, Goel held many bowling records in domestic cricket. He is best remembered for holding the record for most wickets in the Ranji Trophy. He is still the run away leader with a whooping 637 wickets in his Ranji Trophy career. Goel received the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 from the BCCI for his service to Indian cricket. "It is a huge loss for the game of cricket and a personal loss for me which has left a huge void. He was one of the best, if not the best left-arm spinner that this country has seen and his record of 750 first-class wickets speaks for his tremendous ability," former BCCI President Ranbir Singh Mahendra said. "He represented Haryana, Delhi and Punjab in the Ranji Trophy. His contribution to the game post his retirement was massive and he would eagerly watch even an inter-district game in search for talent and remained the pivot for selection of Haryana cricket teams till he regretfully laid down his office on account of the Lodha recommendations. "He was a thorough gentleman who remained active till the very end. In his passing, the cricket world has lost one of its finest jewels. I will miss him deeply," he added. "Sh. Rajinder Goel ji was a legend and one of the strongest foundations of the Haryana Cricket Association. His contribution to the development of cricket and identification of talent in Haryana is immense. On behalf of the Association, I mourn his passing and extend our condolences to Sh. Nitin Goel and his family," Haryana Cricket Association President Kultar Singh Malik said. Born to an assistant station master in the Indian Railways, Goel first tasted success for North Zone schools in 1957 when he snared four wickets against West Zone in the final of the All-India schools tournament and was declared the best bowler of the tournament. He made his Ranji debut in the next season. He began his first-class career with Patiala, which then evolved into the Southern Punjab team. He moved to Delhi in 1963 and Haryana ten years later.