Rajinder Pal is an Indian cricketer played his first class cricket as the age of 17.
Early Life of Rajinder Pal
Rajinder Pal was born on 18th November 1937 at Delhi. He is a former Indian cricketer who played in one Test in 1964. Rajinder Pal was specialised as a bowler.
Career of Rajinder Pal
Rajinder Pal made his first-class debut in 1954-1955 for Delhi Cricket Team at the age of 17. While he was studying at Delhi University he played for Indian Universities in first-class matches against the New Zealand Cricket team in 1955-1956 and the Australia Cricket team in 1959-1960. At domestic level, Rajinder Pal played for Delhi University Cricket Team in the inter-university competition, the Rohinton Baria Trophy. When Delhi University won the trophy in 1959-60 he took eight wickets in the final.
Rajinder Pal took 8 wickets for 54 runs and 4 wickets for 125 runs for Delhi Cricket Team against Indian Railways Cricket Team in the Ranji Trophy in 1959-1960, and captained Delhi Cricket Team in 1960-1961 and 1961-1962. In his first match as captain, Rajinder Pal took 6 wickets for 3 and 3 wickets for 17 against Jammu and Kashmir, bowling unchanged throughout the match as Jammu and Kashmir were dismissed for 23 and 28.
In 1961-1962, Rajinder Pal was selected to play for the Indian Board President`s XI against the MCC and took four wickets, including that of Ted Dexter, bowled for 3. He also played in the corresponding match when the MCC toured in 1963-64, and despite taking only one wicket, he was selected to play in the Second Test shortly afterwards. Rajinder Pal took the place of Ranjane in the Second Test and bowled 13 overs in the match for 22 runs and no wicket.
Rajinder Pal continued to play in the Ranji Trophy for Delhi Circket Team until the 1965-66 season, when Rajinder Pal played for Southern Punjab Cricket Team, where he captained in 1966-1967. He played for Punjab Cricket Team in 1968-1969, as captain and 1969-1970, returned to Delhi in 1971-1972, and finished his career after playing with Haryana Cricket team in 1972-1973 and 1973-1974.
Rajinder Pal took 337 wickets at an average of 21.89 disguises a tendency to shine against weaker teams but struggle in stronger competition. In 12 Ranji Trophy matches against Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Team, Rajinder Pal took 60 wickets at 9.53, but for North Zone in the Duleep Trophy, he took 16 wickets at 41.87 in 10 matches.
The brother of Rajinder Pal, Ravinder Pal played a few matches for Delhi Cricket team in the 1960s. They opened the bowling together against Jammu and Kashmir Cricket team in the only match they played together in 1964-1965, then in 1965-1966 they opened the bowling for opposing sides when Delhi played Southern Punjab, taking 15 wickets between them.
Later Career of Rajinder Pal
After retiring from the cricket life, Rajinder Pal became a coach, running the Rajinder Pal Cricket Academy in New Delhi. Kapil Dev spent weeks learning from him before touring England for the first time in 1979.
