Ranga Sohoni, who was also known as Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni or Sriranga Wasudev `Ranga` Sohoni was an Indian cricketer of global fame. He played for India in colonial times. He also played for Bombay Cricket Team.
Ranga Sohoni was born on 5th March in the year 1918 in Nimbahera of Rajasthan. Ranga Sohoni toured England in 1946 and Australia in 1947 to 1948 with the Indian Cricket team.
Ranga Sohoni opened the bowling against England in the two Tests that he played in the former tour, though he was hardly quick. At Old Trafford the last wicket partnership of Dattaram Hindlekar and Ranga Sohoni hung around for 13 minutes to avoid a defeat.
Ranga Sohoni played for Bombay Cricket team, Maharashtra Cricket team, and Baroda Cricket team in the Ranji Trophy. After India got independence, Ranga Sohoni became the captain in eleven matches and lead Bombay (Mumbai) Cricket team to the Ranji title in 1953-1954. Ranga Sohoni, who was also known as Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni or Sriranga Wasudev `Ranga` Sohoni played for the Bombay University (University of Mumbai) between 1939 and 1941. Ranga Sohoni captained them in the second of those years. He appeared in one unofficial test match.
The finest season in Ranji Trophy was 1940 to 1941. Against Western India, he scored a career best 218 (not out) and put on 342 (not out) for the fourth wicket with Vijay Hazare, then an Indian record for any wicket.
In the last innings of the final against Madras Cricket Team, Ranga Sohoni hit 104 on a crumbling wicket. Ranga Sohoni scored 655 runs in the Ranji Trophy season at an average of 131, and 808 in all first class matches with five hundreds.
Ranga Sohoni was tall, fair skinned and light eyed" with "film star looks". He was offered a role in movies by V. Shantaram. He was a pro in Lancashire League with Lower House Club.
Ranga Sohoni was a graduate and served in various government departments before retiring as a class I officer in the government of Maharashtra.
Ranga Sohoni died on 19th May in the year 1993 in Thane (Maharashtra). He died due to heart attack.
