From 9,000 First-Class Runs to a 22-Year Court Battle: Jacob Martin’s Untold Story

22 Years in the Courtroom: Jacob Martin Cleared After Long Legal Battle

For most cricketers, the longest innings happen on the field. For Jacob Martin, it was played inside a courtroom.

At 54, the former India batsman has finally walked free from a case that haunted him for 22 years. A Patiala House Court in Delhi acquitted Martin of all charges—forgery, cheating, criminal conspiracy and passport offences—arising from a controversial cricket tour to the UK.

From 9,000 FC Runs to a Star

Born in Baroda, Martin was a right-handed middle-order bat known for concentration and consistency. His breakthrough came in the 1998-99 Ranji season when he crossed 1,000 runs, becoming only the sixth player to do so in a single campaign. That earned him a national callup.

His FC record is serious business: 138 matches, 9,000+ runs, 23 centuries, avg above 46. He also captained Baroda to their 5th (and last) Ranji title in 2000-01, before returning as a coach.

His India stint was brief—10 ODIs between 1999-2001, 158 runs. But domestically, he was a name to be respected.

The Tour That Changed Everything

According to Martin, a team he was linked to travelled to the UK in 2004. One player overstayed his visa, got a fake immigration stamp, was deported, then detained on return. Martin says his name was NOT in the original FIR—he was implicated later. He also hinted his ex-international profile drew unwanted attention.

Police version differs: they alleged Martin and an associate arranged the youngster's trip under the guise of cricket, money changed hands, and bogus club Ajwa Sports Club was used. He was accused in what cops called an illegal immigration racket.

A Life Disrupted

He was arrested in Delhi, spent time in Tihar Jail. By 2016, the Baroda Cricket Association made him Ranji coach—controversial given the pending charges.

Then, Dec 2018, a serious road accident in Vadodara left him critical—lung and liver damage, a month in ICU. Former teammates and administrators came forward with support.

The case cost him his Railway job and blocked BCCI employment. He's called those years immensely stressful.

Closure

An acquittal clears the legal cloud—but can't return 22 lost years. For once, the final scorecard is in his favour.

Source: Cricketnmore