By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (April 10^th 2025)

The Princely Stroke-maker

Colonel, His Highness, Sir Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji, the Maharajah of Nawanagar was one of the most stylish and innovative batsmen of his era. He played for Cambridge University, Sussex and England, representing England in 15 Test Matches – more than double the number of times Bernard Bosanquet played for his country. Ranji, as he was known, took over governing his native ‘state’ of Nawanagar in 1907, a ‘state’ that was part of the British Raj but ruled by native leaders.

From 1907 until his death in 1933 Ranji ruled the state for the British. Despite being criticised for failing to help develop cricket in India, two years after passing away, India’s top domestic competition, the Ranji Trophy, was named in his honour.

Innovative Batsman

Ranjitsinhji helped to develop the art of batting by popularising the technique of batting from the back-foot, rather than just attacking off the front foot. He helped to hone defensive back-foot batting and also the more attacking shot, the leg-glance. He marked his débuts for both Sussex and England with centuries – 150 against the MCC in 1895 and 154 not out against Australia in 1896 respectively. In 1901 Ranjitsinhji scored centuries in both three-day matches against Somerset.

Sussex won by an innings and 39 runs in May 1901 even though they had only made 376 all out – Ranjitsinhji top-scored with 133. The counties played again at Taunton in August. There were five centuries in that match which ended in a draw – George Brann made 107 in Sussex’s first innings of 236 all out: Lionel Palairet made 194 in response in Somerset’s first innings and Albert (aka Talbot) Lewis made 120 in that innings of 560 for 8 declared too. Their partnership was 258 for the first wicket.

Sussex’s second innings of 466 for 1 contained 119 not out by CB Fry and Ranjitsinhji’s top score in first-class cricket, an unbeaten 285. It was the record for Sussex until his nephew removed him from the record book (see below). Joe Vine was the only batsman to lose his wicket for 49 with 130 runs on the board. Fry and Ranjitsinhji’s unbroken partnership for the second wicket amassed 336 runs.

Bosanquet’s Battles with Fry and Ranjitsinhji Part One 1900-1901

Bernard Bosanquet made his début for Middlesex in 1898, but he didn’t claim a wicket with the googly until July 20^th 1900. Among the victims that he was proud of claiming were Sussex and England greats CB Fry and KS Ranjitsinhji. He claimed both in a match in 1904, albeit in different innings.

In May 1900 the match between Middlesex and Sussex was ruined by rain. Only one innings each was possible. Middlesex would have enforced the follow on as they led by 255 runs when the weather ended play. They made 424 for 6 declared, led by Sir Pelham (Plum) Warner’s 114. Both Fry and Ranjitsinhji were dismissed cheaply, 3 and 7 respectively, by John Hearne, who took 5 for 64 from 28 overs. Bosanquet didn’t play in the match.

Less than a week after Bosanquet made history by taking a wicket with a deliberately bowled googly, Middlesex played Sussex at Hove. Middlesex batted first and made 401 all out, led by Bosanquet’s 86. Sussex responded with 400 all out. Albert Trott took 7 for 204 from 53 overs and one ball. He took the wickets of both Fry and Ranjitsinhji, but not before they had scored 110 and 202 respectively. Middlesex was 118 all out, setting Sussex a target of 120. They were 12 without loss at the close of play – match drawn. Bosanquet did not bowl in the first innings and had figures of 0 for 8 from 2 overs in the second innings.

In August 1901 Fry had a field day, hammering 149 out of 501 all out. Ranjitsinhji made 74, but neither were victims of Bosanquet who claimed 2 for 80 from 17 overs. He made 53 out of 289 in Middlesex’s first innings and 49 out of 401 for 8 in the second innings – Sir Pelham Warner and Richard More made centuries. The match was drawn.

A month earlier Middlesex beat Sussex at Lord’s by 193 runs. Bosanquet did nothing special in the match. He was out for 39 in the first innings, one of six wickets taken by Albert Relf (6 for 112 from 38 overs). Middlesex made 275 all out. Sussex responded with 290 all out – Fry made 116. Trott was the pick of the bowlers with 8 for 115 from 44 overs and four balls. Bosanquet took the only other wicket claimed by a Middlesex bowler for 83 from 29 overs (Kenneth Goldie bowled for 7), as Ernest Killick was run out for 64. Trott dismissed both Fry and Ranjitsinhji in the first innings – a feat he repeated in the second innings.

Middlesex scored 353 all out in the second innings. Bosanquet top-scored with 63, but he had the ignominy of being the only wicket claimed by Ranjitsinhji (caught by Killick). Ranjitsinhji only bowled 4 overs, taking 1 for 14. Frederick Tate took 4 for 109 from 30 overs. Sussex needed 339 to win. They were dismissed for a paltry 145 (Harry Butt was absent hurt). Killick top-scored with just 33 and both Fry and Ranjitsinhji were dismissed by Trott for 26 apiece. Trott took 7 for 72 from his 22 overs and two balls – John Hearne took the other two for 21 from 9 overs. Trott had match figures of 15 for 187 from 66 overs and 6 balls.[1]

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[1] n.b The number of balls per over could vary around this time, which is why I have used numbers of both overs and balls rather than the usual number of overs, then a . before the number of balls.