The Maharaja of Porbandar assumed the title as ruler of the small state of Kathiawar. on the death of his father in 1908 aged seven, ascending to the throne in 1920. A keen cricketer, he was handicapped by being almost useless. Despite that, he was picked to captain the All-India side on their first major tour of England in 1932 when the Maharaja of Patiala had to withdraw through illness. It was considered necessary for a prince to lead the side, and so Porbandar was appointed. He acknowledged his limitations, playing in only four of the tour matches and handing over the captaincy for India's first Test to C.K. Nayudu. He scored two runs on the whole trip, provoking the quite justified comment that he owned more Rolls Royces than he had made runs. He played only one more first-class match on his return to India.
Martin Williamson