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Jenni Irani

Jenni Khurshed Irani (1923–1982) was an Indian first-class cricketer who represented India in international cricket during the late 1940s. A right-arm fast-medium bowler, he was part of the Indian touring side that visited Australia in 1947–48, the first Test tour undertaken by India after independence.

Key facts
Full name Jenni Khurshed Irani
Born 1923
Died 1982
Nationality Indian
Role Bowler (right-arm fast-medium)
Format Test cricket, first-class cricket
Notable tour India in Australia, 1947–48

Background

Irani belonged to the Parsi community, which had a long and influential association with Indian cricket dating back to the nineteenth century, when Parsi clubs in Bombay were among the earliest organised cricketing institutions in the subcontinent. He developed his cricket in the domestic circuit during the 1940s, a period when Indian first-class cricket was structured around the Ranji Trophy, inaugurated in 1934, and the Bombay Pentangular tournament.

Career

Irani's international appearances came on India's tour of Australia in 1947–48, led by Lala Amarnath. The tour was historically significant as the first overseas Test series played by India as an independent nation, and it featured matches against Donald Bradman's Australian side. Irani was one of the bowlers selected for the touring party, contributing to the team's pace attack on Australian pitches.

His Test career was brief, and he did not feature regularly in the Indian side after the Australian tour. He continued to play first-class cricket in India during the period.

Significance

Although Irani's international career was short, his selection for the 1947–48 Australia tour places him among the small group of cricketers who represented India in the immediate post-independence years, when the national side was establishing its identity in international cricket. His career also reflects the continuing presence of Parsi cricketers in the early decades of Indian Test cricket.

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