Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji, Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar GCSI, GBE (10 September 1872 â 2 April 1933) (known as Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji, Ranji or Smith during his career)[1] was an Indian prince and Test cricketer who played for the English cricket team.[2] He also played first-class cricket for Cambridge University, and county cricket for Sussex.
Ranji is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time,[3] Neville Cardus describing him as "the Midsummer night's dream of cricket". Unorthodox in technique and with fast reactions, he brought a new style to batting and revolutionised the game. Previously batsmen generally pushed forward; Ranji took advantage of the improving pitches of the time and relied on a back and across defensive stroke and played elegant strokes off the back foot in attack. He had a strong late cut and is noted for his popularisation or invention of the leg glance. The first-class cricket tournament in India, the Ranji Trophy, was named in his honour and inaugurated in 1935 by the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.
Outside cricket, Ranji became Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar in 1907; was Chancellor of the Indian Chamber of Princes; and represented India at the League of Nations. His official title was Colonel H. H. Shri Sir Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji, Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, GCSI, GBE. As an excellent cricketer formed a circle of eight players to promote excellence not only in cricket but also academics and welfare.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K._S._Ranjitsinhji
