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Khandu Rangnekar

Khandu Moreshwar Rangnekar (1917–1984) was an Indian sportsman who represented India in Test cricket and was also active in first-class badminton circles. A left-handed batsman, he played three Test matches for India during the 1947–48 tour of Australia and was a leading domestic cricketer in the Bombay and Maharashtra regions during the 1940s.

Key facts

Full name Khandu Moreshwar Rangnekar
Born 1917
Died 1984
Country India
Sports Cricket, Badminton
Batting Left-handed
Test debut 1947–48, vs Australia
Tests played 3
Domestic teams Maharashtra, Bombay, Holkar

Background

Rangnekar emerged in Indian domestic cricket in the late 1930s, a period when the Ranji Trophy was still in its formative years. He was known for an attacking left-handed batting style and represented several leading domestic sides of the era, including Maharashtra, Bombay and Holkar, which were among the dominant teams in the Ranji Trophy through the 1940s.

Cricket career

Domestic cricket

Rangnekar was part of strong batting line-ups in the Ranji Trophy during the 1940s. He featured for Maharashtra and later for Holkar, both of which reached Ranji Trophy finals during this period, and also turned out for Bombay. His consistency in domestic competition earned him selection for the national side.

Test cricket

Rangnekar was selected in the Indian squad that toured Australia in the 1947–48 season under the captaincy of Lala Amarnath. This was India's first Test tour of Australia and the first Indian tour after independence. He played three Test matches against the Australian side led by Donald Bradman, marking the entirety of his Test career.

Badminton

Apart from cricket, Rangnekar was active in badminton at the competitive level in India, making him among the relatively small number of Indian sportspersons of his generation to compete seriously in two distinct sports.

Significance

Rangnekar belongs to the early generation of post-independence Indian Test cricketers. His selection for the 1947–48 tour of Australia places him in the historical record of cricketers who represented India during a transitional phase in the country's sporting history, when domestic cricket was reorganising and India was establishing itself in international Test competition.

References