Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja has surpassed Virat Kohli to become the richest cricketing personality in India. This comes after Jadeja was named the heir to the Jamnagar Royal Throne in Gujarat.

The announcement was made by Maharaja Jamsaheb of Nawanagar on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra. This makes Ajay Jadeja heir to a fortune worth over INR 1450 Crores.

In a public statement, Maharaja Jamsaheb expressed his joy at the decision, stating, “The festival of Dussehra marks 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.”

He further emphasized the significance of this decision for the people of Jamnagar, saying, “Ajay Jadeja taking up the responsibility of serving the people of Jamnagar is truly a boon.”

The value also makes Jadeja go past Virat Kohli as the richest cricketer, as Kohli’s worth is estimated to be around INR 1,000 Crs.

This inheritance strengthens the already strong ties between the Jamnagar royal family and the world of cricket. The famous Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy are named for Jadeja's relatives, KS Ranjitsinhji and KS Duleepsinhji, respectively.

Jadeja, who played 196 One-Day Internationals and 15 Tests for India between 1992 and 2000, is a direct descendant of the royal dynasty. His father, Daulatsinghji Jadeja, was a three-term Member of Parliament from Jamnagar.

In 1966, the Maharaja, a former cricketer who captained Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy, took over as the titular leader of Nawanagar. The family can trace its roots back to the renowned cricketer Ranjitsinh Jadeja, who ruled Nawanagar from 1907 to 1933.

(News18 inputs)