Narwana, September 19 (Daily Kiran) : The Ranji Trophy, India’s premier cricket tournament organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is often viewed as a stepping stone to the national team. However, many exceptional players have shone in this competition yet never received a chance to represent India. Among them, Rajinder Goyal stands out as one of the most notable names.
Born on September 20, 1942, in Narwana, Haryana, Rajinder developed a passion for cricket from a young age. He was a left-arm spin bowler who made his first-class debut for Haryana in the 1958-59 season after a stellar performance at the local level.
Goyal’s spinning deliveries often bewildered batsmen, showcasing his ability to extract turn even on batting-friendly pitches. His first-class career spanned nearly 26 years, concluding with his last match in 1985. During this time, he achieved remarkable success in the Ranji Trophy, claiming 637 wickets—a record that still stands 41 years after his final match.
In total, Goyal took 750 wickets across 157 first-class matches. He achieved the remarkable feat of taking ten or more wickets in a match on 18 occasions and captured five or more wickets in an innings 59 times.
Despite his impressive statistics and contributions to the game, Rajinder Goyal remains one of the unfortunate cricketers who never had the opportunity to don the national jersey. He passed away at the age of 77 in Rohtak on June 21, 2020. His legacy, however, continues to inspire future generations of cricketers.
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