India's oldest first-class cricketer Vasant Raiji passes away aged 100

India's oldest first-class cricketer, Vasant Raiji, passed away on Saturday (June 13).

Raiji, was aged 100 and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the demise of the record-breaker.

It was earlier this year when he had turned 100 and was a former first-class cricketer and historian.

When Team India played its maiden Test on home turf, Raiji was a 13-year-old kid but still managed to witness the historic tie at the Bombay Gymkhana in 1932.

It was later in 1939, he made his first-class debut for Cricket Club of India against Central Provinces and Berar in Nagpur.

Raiji made his Bombay (now Mumbai) debut in 1941 and opened the innings under the captaincy of Vijay Merchant.

The match ended in a draw with Bombay securing a first-innings lead. Later in his career, Raiji also played for Baroda. He played 9 first-class matches and scored 277 runs with two fifties.

After his retirement, he joined his family business, but a passion for cricket kept him associated with the sport.

He was a founding member of the Jolly Cricket Club in Mumbai and wrote books on Ranjitsinhji, Duleepsinhji, Victor Trumper, CK Nayudu an LP Jai.

He also loved collecting books and memorabilia.