Legendary Indian spinner Rajinder Goel passed away on Sunday (June 21) at the age of 77, after prolonged illness. He is survived by his wife and son Nitin Goel, who also has played in first-class cricket and is a domestic match-referee.

The left-arm spinner could not get the opportunity to represent India, despite being the leading wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy history with 637 wickets to his name.

India boasted of a very strong spin attack during his time and the closest he came to playing for the country was in 1974/75 against West Indies when he was picked in the squad for the First Test match.

He represented Patiala, Southern Punjab, Delhi and Haryana in domestic cricket and played till the age of 44, picking up 750 wickets in his first-class career.

He became the recipient of the prestigious CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented to him by former Indian captain Bishan Singh Bedi. Bedi had great things to say about Goel, once calling the former spinner a ‘captain’s dream.’

(With PTI/Hindustan Times inputs)