Former India batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Monday paid tributes to the former first-class spinner Rajinder Goel, who passed away yesterday. The Master Blaster stretched out his genuine sympathies to the family of ‘local cricket robust’.
Goel was 77 and he died due to age-related health issues.
Taking to Twitter Tendulkar wrote, “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.”
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. 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/hqDoSsoL5y— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 22, 2020
Sourav Ganguly Pays Tribute to the Legend
Former India captain and current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly paid tribute to Goel. “The Indian cricketing community has lost a giant of domestic cricket today,” he said in a release. “His staggering record tells you about his craft and the control he had over it. To have a career that lasts more than 25 years and still be able to perform consistently speaks about his dedication and commitment towards the game. To be able to pick 750 wickets needs years and years of hard work and I salute his efforts. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family.”
Rajinder Goel’s Contribution in Cricket
The left-arm spinner got 750 first-class wickets with an average of 18.58 in a profession traversing 27 years. He played first-class cricket till the age of 44 and represented Patiala, Delhi, Southern Punjab, and Haryana. The veteran spinner sacked 59 five-wicket takes and 18 ten-wicket hauls.
With 637 Ranji Trophy wickets, Goel notwithstanding playing his last game in the 1984-85 season, remains the main wicket-taker of India’s chief residential first-class competition.
Despite the renowned record in the residential cricket, Goel never played for India in any format of the game. In 2017, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) honoured Rajinder Goel with the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.
Also read: Sachin Tendulkar Not Just a Great Player But a Great Human Being: Pakistan legend Waqar Younis
