Former cricketer Ajay Jadeja appointed next heir to Jamnagar royal throne, accepts role on Dussehra

Ajay Jadeja, a former Indian cricketer, has been appointed as the next Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, currently known as Jamnagar, Gujarat. The current Maharaja, Shatrusalyasinhji Digvijaysinhji Jadeja, made this announcement on Dussehra, a day symbolizing victory. He expressed confidence in Ajay's ability to serve the community, stating, “Ajay Jadeja taking up the responsibility is truly a boon for Jamnagar.”

Born into the royal family of Nawanagar, Ajay Jadeja has a significant cricketing background. He played for the Indian national team from 1992 to 2000, participating in 15 Test matches and 196 One Day Internationals (ODIs). He is especially known for his exceptional fielding and aggressive batting style. Despite facing a match-fixing scandal that led to a ban from cricket, he successfully transitioned to mentoring roles in the sport, including recently guiding the Afghanistan cricket team during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, where the team achieved notable victories over England and Pakistan.

The announcement of Jadeja's new role follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial in Warsaw, Poland. During his visit, Modi emphasized the importance of cultural ties between India and Poland, introducing the Jam Saheb Nawanagar Youth Action Program to facilitate exchanges between the two nations. This initiative honors the legacy of the former Maharaja, who was renowned for his humanitarian efforts during World War II. Ajay Jadeja's ascension to the title of Jam Saheb aligns with his family's political legacy, which includes his father, Daulatsinhji Jadeja, who served multiple terms as a Member of Parliament for the Jamnagar constituency.