SK Flashback: Remembering the life and times of Vijay Hazare on his birthday

Ranji debut and first glimpse of Hazare in international cricket

Hazare was impressive with the ball in the Ranji Trophy

Mentored by the legendary spinner Grimmett, Hazare went on to make his Ranji debut in the tournament’s inception season of 1934/35. Playing for Maharashtra against Mumbai in his debut match and the only game that season, Hazare impressed with the ball, picking up six wickets in the first inning to restrict Mumbai to 286.

He was impressive with the bat too, contributing 65 runs to the team’s total of 260, prior to picking up two more wickets and ended with an impressive tally of eight wickets in the match in addition to his 65 runs with the bat to help Maharashtra draw the game.

Surprisingly, Hazare missed out on consecutive Ranji seasons after his debut but went on to represent India in an unofficial test against Lord Tennyson's side in 1937 where he managed to pick just a solitary wicket and score 28 runs in the match.