Vasant Raiji - One of India's oldest living First-Class cricketer

“Every time I say I won’t do any more interviews because with advancing age there is a confusion of ideas and I don’t want to make a fool of myself, but when somebody approaches me with a request I always say, ‘yes’. But I think this is my last interview. I am surprised that I am able to answer your questions without any lapse of memory,” said, a 96 years old Mr. Vasant Raiji in an interview to Wisden India in November 2016.

But when I made a request to meet him in June 2017, he willingly obliged. Yes, his wife Mrs. Panna Raiji came and told me that she doesn’t know what will I get out of him as his memory was fading. I silently told myself that I should try my luck. Thankfully for me, his cricketing memory still seemed intact.

Vasant Raiji’s name that may not ring a bell with many

Now, Vasant Raiji is a name that may not ring a bell with even the most ardent cricket fans. He played only 9 First-Class games for Bombay & Baroda between 1938/39 and 1949/50. But in my opinion, his actual contribution to cricket started post his playing days when he took up writing. He has written quite a few books on cricket and is a well known name in the Mumbai cricket circles. Some of his writings are - Ranji: The Legend and the Man, India’s Hambledon Men, From Presidency to Pentangular (with Mohandas Menon) & CK Nayudu: The Shahenshah of Indian Cricket among others.

My motive of meeting him was to know more about India’s first test captain - Col. CK Nayudu for my book - ‘A Colonel Destined to Lead’. I still remember when I made the call to him, his wife had told me, “Oh, if you want to know about Col. CK Nayudu, then you need to speak to my husband”. So, the next day, I was at their house. He came out with the help of a walker and we immediately got to business. Before starting, he cautioned me telling that he may not remember much as he is getting old.

Raiji adored Col. CK Nayudu

But as we started talking, he got more and more excited while talking about Col. CK Nayudu. People tell me that Raiji literally adored CK (as he was called). When I asked him about who his favourite cricketers were, he said, “Col. CK Nayudu, LP Jai, Lala Amarnath, Mohammad Nissan & Amar Singh. The thing that surprised me was that he could recall the number of boundaries & sixes hit from matches played more than 80 years ago."

Author with Vasant Raiji

He then brought his book on CK and referred me to certain sections of the book. I quickly took notes from his book. As I was about to leave, he came out till the elevator to see me off. When a 97 years old man comes out to see you off, it is bound to touch your heart. This small gesture made me realise that people of Raiji’s generation still have that courtesy and warmth which is sadly diminishing from today’s society. And my respect for him increased further.

My next meeting with him was in December 2018, when I had gone with my wife to present my book to him and also invite him to the book launch. Mrs. Panna Raiji apologised to us for not recognising us. In a sad tone, she said, “At our age we don’t remember all the things. I am sorry”. Their domestic help told them that I had come to interview Sir (as he called Vasant Raiji) few months back. Even Mr Raiji, didn’t seem to recall me; but yet again as I started talking cricket, his enthusiasm increased. He scanned through the book and asked me about the publisher. When I showed him his photo in my book, he smiled a bit. Mrs. Panna Raiji then politely refused the invitation to come for the launch of my book. She told that Mr. Raiji rarely goes out these days.

“One for the road”

I was lucky enough to persuade them to record a short video as well, which I played during the book launch function. Mrs. Panna Raiji (who is also in her 90s) then brought us some chocolates. As we were about to leave, she offered us some more chocolates. And when we refused, she smiled and said, “One for the road”.

I was speechless at their hospitality.

Today on India’s 68th Republic Day, Vasant Raiji turns 98 years old and I wish him a very happy birthday. Incidentally, he is probably the oldest living First-Class cricketer in India today. On being told a few years back that he was Mumbai's oldest living cricketer, he had laughed and said, "Lucky to be alive, it's not an achievement. Just that one is blessed with long life".

Now, he may not have set the cricketing field on fire, but these are men of honour who have ensured that the rich history of Indian cricket has been passed on to subsequent generations. I feel it is because of people like Vasant Raiji, that the game we all love so much can still be referred to as a gentleman’s game.