Ajay Jadeja, a former Indian cricketer, has been named as the heir to the throne of Jamnagar in the western Indian state of Gujarat. The 53-year-old will assume the title of Jam Saheb, or royal, of Nawanagar, the former princely state now known as Jamnagar.
The announcement was made by the current titular royal, Jam Saheb Maharaja Shatrusalyasinhji Digvijaysinhji Jadeja, on 12 October. In a statement, he expressed his happiness at finding a resolution to his dilemma and conveyed his gratitude to Ajay Jadeja for accepting the position of heir.
Ajay Jadeja hails from a family with a deep-rooted legacy in cricket. The Ranji Trophy, India’s annual first-class championship, is named after his great grand uncle, Ranjitsinh, known as the “Father of Indian Cricket,” who ruled Nawanagar from 1907 to 1933. His grand uncle, Duleepsinh, had the Duleep Trophy, another prestigious first-class cricket competition in India, named after him.
With his new royal status, Ajay Jadeja’s net worth is estimated at Rs 14.5 billion (£132.6 million), surpassing Virat Kohli. Jadeja, recognized as one of India’s finest fielders, had a successful international cricket career, playing 196 One Day International games and 15 Test matches, scoring 6,000 runs with six centuries and 30 half-centuries in the 50-over format.
However, his cricketing accomplishments were marred by a lifetime ban in 2000 due to alleged match-fixing, which was later reduced to a five-year suspension by the Delhi High Court. Despite this setback, Jadeja ventured into other industries, including cricket commentary and Bollywood acting.
While the concept of royalty has diminished in democratic India, several royal families still retain their heritage properties, land, and titles. Ajay Jadeja’s newfound role as India’s newest royal signifies a blend of cricketing lineage and regal heritage in the modern era.