Ajay Jadeja, former cricketer, named heir to Jamnagar throne on Dussehra

Ajay Jadeja, former cricketer and nephew of the Maharaja of Jamnagar, has been named the heir to the throne on Dussehra on Saturday. Ajay Jadeja, 53, played 196 ODIs and 15 Test matches for India between 1992 and 2000. He is a descendant of the royal family of Jamnagar.

Maharaja Shatrusalyasinh Jadeja is Ajay Jadeja's uncle. The Maharaja's cousin, Daulatsinghji Jadeja, Ajay's father, served as a Member of Parliament from Jamnagar from 1971 to 1984.

"The festival of Dussehra is believed to mark the day the Pandavas emerged victorious from exile. Today, on Dussehra, I am equally happy, as I have found a resolution to one of my dilemmas thanks to Ajay Jadeja, who has accepted to be my heir," Maharaja Jamsaheb stated.


"Ajay Jadeja taking up the responsibility of serving the people of Jamnagar is truly a boon for its people. I express my sincere gratitude to him," he added.

Maharaja Shatrusalyasinhji, who captained Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy in 1966-67 and served as the head of the Saurashtra Cricket Association, became the titular head of Nawanagar on February 3, 1966, after his father’s death.

The family descends from cricketer Ranjitsinh Jadeja, who ruled Nawanagar from 1907 to 1933.

(With PTI inputs)