Rajendra Jadeja, the former Saurashtra and Bombay pacer, passed away in Rajkot on Sunday after contracting COVID-19. He was 65.
Jadeja, who played in 13 First-Class seasons from 1974-75, picked up 134 wickets in 50 matches.
Besides leading Saurashtra’s pace attack for a decade, Jadeja made the cut for Bombay for two seasons (1978-79 and 1979-80) where he was a regular in club and corporate cricket.
Jadeja also represented West Zone in the highly-rated Duleep Trophy during his career. He was also selected against the touring Marylebone Cricket Club side, for West Zone and Indian Universities Under-22, in 1976-77.
The lanky bowler, with his trademark moustache, also served as coach and a BCCI match referee. His last assignment was coach of Saurashtra’s Under-23 season in 2019-20.
“It is an immense loss to the world of cricket. Rajendra Sir was one of the finest men I have met.
“I am fortunate to have played many matches with him as our head coach, manager and mentor,” said Jaydev Shah, the Saurashtra Cricket Association president who is the longest-serving captain in First Class cricket.