The BCCI has condoled the death of Vasant Raiji, India's most veteran first-class cricketer, on Saturday. Raiji died early in the morning. He was 100 years old. The BCCI said in a statement, "The BCCI came to know about the demise of former first-class cricketer and historian Vasant Raiji. He turned 100 on January 26 this year." On 26 January this year, Raiji celebrated his 100th birthday and Sachin Tendulkar and Steve Waugh attended this celebration.
Raiji was 13 when India played his first Test match on home ground. He was, however, successful in watching this match in 1932 at the Gymkhana in Mumbai. He later made his first-class debut against Central Providence in 1939 in Nagpur with the Cricket Club of India. Right-handed batsman Raiji played his first match for Mumbai in 1941 and started the innings under the captaincy of Vijay Merchant. This match was a draw. Later in his career, he also played for Baroda. He played nine first-class matches in which he scored two half-centuries and scored 277 runs. He was a reserve player in the 1941 Bombay Pentagonal Hindu team.
BCCI said in a statement, "He took up the home business after retirement, but the passion kept him connected to the game. He was a founding member of Jolly Cricket Club. He has books on Ranjitsingh, Victor Trumper, CK Naidu. He was fond of collecting books and souvenirs." He was a chartered accountant by profession. After the demise of BK Gurudachara in the year 2016, Raiji became the most veteran first-class cricketer in the country. After the death of John Manners on March 7, Raiji became the world's most veteran first-class cricketer.
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