Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja has been declared the successor to the royal throne of Nawanagar, also known as Jamnagar, a princely state in Gujarat.

What Happened: The present Maharaja Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, Shatrusalyasinhji Digvijaysinhji Jadeja, announced that Ajay Jadeja has accepted the offer to become his successor. The Maharaja expressed his joy over Jadeja’s acceptance, calling it a “blessing for the people of Jamnagar," according to a report by the Economic Times.

"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 in a letter.

Ajay Jadeja, a descendant of the former Nawanagar royal family, has a rich cricketing heritage. His kin, K Ranjitsinhji, and KS Duleepsinhji, are remembered through the esteemed Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy, respectively.

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The announcement comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial in Warsaw, Poland, in August. The memorial pays tribute to Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji’s humanitarian efforts during World War II.

Why It Matters: Ajay Jadeja’s cricket career, which lasted from 1992 to 2000, saw him play 15 Test matches and 196 One Day Internationals for India. Known for his fielding prowess, Jadeja has also dabbled in acting and cricket commentary.

Recently, he was in the news as the team mentor for the Afghanistan cricket team during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. His rise to the royal throne reflects his family’s political legacy. His father, Daulatsinhji Jadeja, served three terms as a Member of Parliament for the Jamnagar Lok Sabha constituency.

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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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