First Class Cricket Stalwart Rajinder Goel passes away at 74!

Rohtak, June 22: The record maker and first-class spinner Rajinder Goel passed away on Sunday here due to prolonged illness at the age of 77. He finished with 750 first-class wickets. He is survived by his wife and son Nitin Goel, who has also played first-class cricket and is a domestic match-referee.

 

 

 

“It is a huge loss for the game of cricket and personally for me. He was one of the best, if not the best left-arm spinner that this country has ever seen. His contribution to the game post-retirement was massive,” former BCCI president Ranbir Singh Mahendra said, expressing his grief.

 

Unfortunately, the left-arm spinner did not join the squad in the era of Bishan Singh Bedi who had 750 first-class wickets from 157 games, representing Haryana and North Zone in domestic cricket.

 

Bedi had honored him the BCCI’s CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. He played first-class cricket till age of 44 meaning he played first-class cricket for 24 years. Prior to him, Kapil Dev was the only greatest cricketer who came from Haryana.

 

 

The Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar said, "Saddened to hear about the passing away of Rajinder Goel ji! He was a stalwart of Indian Domestic Cricket picking up more than 600 wickets in the Ranji Trophy. May his soul Rest in Peace and my heartfelt condolences to his near and dear ones."