Rajinder Goel – Highest Wicket Taker in Ranji cricket passes away at aged 77

Former Indian cricketer and Ranji Trophy stalwart Rajinder Goel passed away aged, 77. Goel was suffering from a long term illness and this was the reason for his demise.

Goyal holds the record for the most number of wickets in Ranji Trophy with 637 wickets taken across 26 seasons of the tournament. Additionally, he has ended with more than 25 wickets in a season on 15 occasions.

Despite his prolific and consistent performances in domestic cricket, Goel never had the opportunity to represent his country at the international level.

The closest he ever came to tasting international fame was when he was included in the Indian squad for a Test match against West Indies in Bangalore, during the 1974-75 season.

Unfortunately, however, he was not included in the playing XI. However, he did play against a touring Australian team, during a practice game during the 1973-74 season, playing for the North Zone.

He ended up picking six-wicket haul during that game.

Speaking on the matter Sourav Ganguly, the BCCI president commented that “the Indian cricketing community had lost a giant of domestic cricket”, he also expressed his condolences for the family of the bereaved.