Dhiraj Devshibhai Parsana was an Indian left-handed all-rounder who represented India in two Test matches against the West Indies in January 1979. Born on December 2, 1947, in Rajkot, Gujarat, he built the bulk of his career in domestic cricket, representing Saurashtra, Gujarat and also appearing for Railways and Durham. His first-class record included 93 matches, 2,943 runs and 320 wickets, making his domestic career considerably more substantial than his brief international stint.
His playing profile combined left-handed batting with left-arm bowling, listed as left-arm medium-fast and slow left-arm orthodox. He made his Test debut at Chennai against the West Indies on January 12, 1979, and played his second and final Test in Delhi on January 24.
Dhiraj Parsana Career Stats
| Format | Career | Matches | Innings | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 50s | 100s | Wickets | BBI | Bowl Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TESTReconciled source snapshot | 1979–1979 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0.50 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1/32 | 50.00 |
This compact table is rendered directly from the shared per-format source selection; recorded-only rows are explicitly labelled. Detailed opponent, venue, year and dismissal analysis remains on the full stats page.
Dhiraj Parsana
/cricket-player/dhiraj-parsana/Each format uses one source consistently. Recorded-only figures are labelled separately.
Reconciled source snapshot
Dhiraj Parsana Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Dhiraj Devshibhai Parsana |
| Born | December 2, 1947 |
| Birthplace | Rajkot, Gujarat, India |
| National team | India |
| Role | All-rounder |
| Batting | Left-handed |
| Bowling | Left-arm medium-fast / slow left-arm orthodox |
| Test matches | 2 |
| Test debut | January 12, 1979, vs West Indies |
| Test wickets | 1 |
| First-class matches | 93 |
| First-class runs | 2,943 |
| First-class wickets | 320 |
| First-class best bowling | 7/46 |
| First-class centuries | 2 |
| First-class five-wicket hauls | 20 |
The career figures above are supported by CricketArchive and other cricket statistical records. CricketArchive lists 93 first-class matches, 2,946 runs and 320 wickets, with minor statistical differences in batting totals compared with other databases.
Dhiraj Parsana’s Domestic Cricket Career
Parsana’s first-class career began with Saurashtra in 1965/66. He subsequently represented Railways, Gujarat and Saurashtra during a career that continued into the early 1980s. CricketArchive also records his association with Durham in England, where he played Minor Counties Championship cricket from 1977 to 1982.
His domestic numbers demonstrate his value as a genuine all-round cricketer. Across 93 first-class matches, he scored around 2,943 runs and took 320 wickets. His best bowling performance was 7/46, while he collected 20 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match hauls. He also scored two first-class centuries, with a highest score of 106 not out.
Gujarat Cricket Association’s Hall of Fame also recognizes Parsana among the notable cricketers produced by Gujarat cricket. Its profile describes him as a left-handed batsman who began with Saurashtra before moving to Gujarat and records 93 first-class matches, approximately 2,900 runs and 320 wickets.
For a deeper statistical breakdown:
View Dhiraj Parsana's complete first-class stats
Dhiraj Parsana’s Test Career for India
Parsana earned his Test opportunity during India’s home series against the West Indies in 1979. He made his debut at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on January 12, receiving Test cap number 143. He played two Tests on the tour and finished with one wicket.
His Test bowling figures were 120 deliveries, 50 runs and one wicket, with best figures of 1/32. With the bat, he scored one run in two innings.
His second and final Test came at Delhi on January 24, 1979. CricketArchive records his international career as confined to those two Tests against the West Indies.
Explore Dhiraj Parsana's complete Test stats
Dhiraj Parsana’s Playing Style and Role
Parsana was a left-handed batter who could contribute with left-arm bowling. His bowling is recorded in two forms: left-arm medium-fast and slow left-arm orthodox. That combination gave him an unusual all-round skill set for the period.
His first-class wicket tally of 320 is particularly significant when considering his overall domestic contribution. His bowling average of about 22.24 and 20 five-wicket hauls show that bowling was a major component of his domestic career.
Dhiraj Parsana’s Career in Numbers
| Format | Matches | Runs | Highest | Wickets | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1/32 |
| First-class | 93 | 2,943–2,946* | 106* | 320 | 7/46 |
| List A | 11 | 226 | 73* | 6 | 3/31 |
*Different databases show a small difference in Parsana’s first-class run total. CricketArchive records 2,946, while ESPNcricinfo-derived records commonly show 2,943.
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Dhiraj Parsana and Gujarat Cricket
Parsana remains part of Gujarat’s cricket history. The Gujarat Cricket Association lists him among the notable players produced by the association, alongside figures such as Jasu Patel, Deepak Shodhan, Nari Contractor, Parthiv Patel, Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel.
His connection with Gujarat cricket continued beyond his playing career. The Gujarat Cricket Association’s Bharuch district history records a benefit match for Parsana in which prominent Indian cricketers including Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Mohammed Azharuddin and Dilip Vengsarkar participated.
Dhiraj Parsana’s Legacy
Parsana’s international career was short, but his domestic record provides a much broader picture of his cricketing contribution. His 320 first-class wickets, two centuries and 20 five-wicket hauls underline the scale of his work outside Test cricket.
His career also links several important strands of Indian cricket history: Saurashtra, Gujarat, Railways, Durham’s Minor Counties cricket and India’s 1979 Test series against the West Indies. The Gujarat Cricket Association continues to recognize him among the state’s notable cricketers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Dhiraj Parsana?
Dhiraj Devshibhai Parsana was an Indian former cricketer and left-handed all-rounder who played two Test matches for India against the West Indies in 1979.
When did Dhiraj Parsana make his Test debut?
He made his Test debut against the West Indies on January 12, 1979, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
How many Test matches did Dhiraj Parsana play?
Parsana played two Test matches for India, both against the West Indies in January 1979.
How many first-class wickets did Dhiraj Parsana take?
He took 320 first-class wickets in 93 matches.
What was Dhiraj Parsana’s best first-class bowling performance?
His best first-class figures were 7/46.
Which teams did Dhiraj Parsana represent?
His recorded teams included India, Saurashtra, Gujarat, Railways and Durham, with Durham appearances in Minor Counties cricket.
What was Dhiraj Parsana’s highest first-class score?
His highest first-class score was 106 not out.
Is Dhiraj Parsana associated with Gujarat cricket?
Yes. The Gujarat Cricket Association identifies Parsana as one of the notable cricketers produced by Gujarat cricket.
Conclusion
Dhiraj Parsana remains a notable name in Indian cricket history, particularly for his contribution as a left-arm spinner during his playing career. His performances for Gujarat and India reflected his ability to challenge batsmen with accuracy, variation, and disciplined bowling. Although his international career was relatively brief, his first-class record and contribution to domestic cricket give him an important place in India’s cricketing history. His journey also reflects the competitive path followed by many Indian cricketers who built their reputations through strong domestic performances before reaching the international level.