Raj Singh Dungarpur (1935–2009) was an Indian first-class cricketer and cricket administrator from the princely family of Dungarpur in Rajasthan. He played domestic cricket in the Ranji Trophy and went on to become one of the most influential figures in Indian cricket administration during the late twentieth century, serving as President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and as a long-time office-bearer of the Cricket Club of India (CCI), Mumbai.
Key facts
| Full name | Raj Singh Dungarpur |
|---|---|
| Born | 1935 |
| Died | 2009 |
| Origin | Dungarpur, Rajasthan, India |
| Role | Right-arm medium-pace bowler |
| Domestic team | Rajasthan |
| Format | First-class cricket (Ranji Trophy) |
| Notable administrative roles | President, BCCI; President, Cricket Club of India; Chairman, national selection committee |
Background
Raj Singh belonged to the royal house of Dungarpur, a former princely state in southern Rajasthan. Cricket had a strong tradition within several Rajput princely families of the region, and he came to the sport from this milieu. He was a nephew of the cricketer-administrator Maharawal Lakshman Singh of Dungarpur and was related, through the wider cricketing aristocracy of Rajasthan, to other notable figures in Indian cricket.
Playing career
Dungarpur was a right-arm medium-pace bowler who represented Rajasthan in the Ranji Trophy during the 1960s. Rajasthan was a strong domestic side in this period, contesting several Ranji Trophy finals, often against Bombay. Although he did not play Test cricket, he was considered a useful bowler at the first-class level and remained closely involved with the Rajasthan team for many years.
Administrative career
After his playing days, Dungarpur became one of the central figures in Indian cricket administration, based largely out of the Cricket Club of India at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
- He served multiple terms as President of the Cricket Club of India (CCI), where he played a major role in the upkeep of the Brabourne Stadium and the club's cricketing activities.
- He served as President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the latter half of the 1990s.
- He was Chairman of the BCCI's national selection committee, in which capacity he was associated with key selection decisions of the 1990s, including the appointment of Sachin Tendulkar as captain of the Indian team.
- He was a member and patron of the Rajasthan Cricket Association and remained an influential voice in domestic cricket politics.
Significance
Dungarpur is remembered as a traditionalist administrator who emphasised the dignity of the game, the importance of domestic cricket, and the heritage of institutions such as the CCI. He was known for his close personal involvement with players and for mentoring several India captains and cricketers through their early careers. His tenure spanned a transformative period in Indian cricket, including the post-1983 World Cup boom, the 1987 and 1996 World Cups co-hosted by India, and the commercial expansion of the BCCI in the 1990s.
He was also active in writing and speaking about cricket history, and was associated with efforts to document the contribution of Indian princely patrons and early cricketers.
Death and legacy
Raj Singh Dungarpur died in 2009. He is commemorated through awards and tributes within Indian cricket, particularly at the Cricket Club of India, where his association with the Brabourne Stadium spanned several decades.
Related topics
- Board of Control for Cricket in India
- Cricket Club of India
- Brabourne Stadium
- Rajasthan cricket team
- Ranji Trophy
- Dungarpur State
- Rajasthan Cricket Association
References
- Wikidata entry: Q7285363
- Records of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
- Records of the Cricket Club of India, Mumbai.