From Tendulkar’s Teammate to Jail Controversies: Who Is Former India Cricketer Jacob Martin?

Former Indian cricketer Jacob Martin, once a teammate of Sachin Tendulkar and an international debutant under Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy, is back in the spotlight—this time for reasons far removed from cricket. The 53-year-old was arrested by the Vadodara Police on Tuesday on charges of drunk and rash driving, after allegedly crashing his luxury SUV into three parked vehicles.

The incident occurred in the Akota area’s Puni Nagar Society at around 2:30 a.m. on January 27. Police officials stated that Martin was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol when he lost control of his vehicle, causing significant damage. He was subsequently taken into custody, and his vehicle was seized.

Early Promise and International Debut

Jacob Martin made his international debut for India under Sourav Ganguly’s leadership, sharing the dressing room with legends such as Sachin Tendulkar. However, his international career was short-lived. Martin represented India in 10 One Day Internationals, scoring 158 runs, and failed to cement a long-term place in the national side.

Despite limited success at the international level, Martin was regarded as a prolific domestic cricketer, particularly for Baroda, where he also served as the Ranji Trophy team captain.

Strong Domestic Record

Martin enjoyed an impressive domestic career, especially in first-class cricket. He played 138 first-class matches, scoring 9,192 runs in 227 innings at an outstanding average of 46.65, including 23 centuries and 47 half-centuries.

In List A cricket, he featured in 101 matches, amassing 2,948 runs with the help of three hundreds and 20 fifties, maintaining a healthy average of 39.30. He also appeared in two T20 matches, scoring 14 runs.

Past Legal Troubles

Martin’s name has been linked to serious controversies off the field. In 2009, he was arrested in a human trafficking case and was lodged in Tihar Jail. He was accused of accepting money to send an individual to the United Kingdom using forged travel documents, including a fake passport. The case generated widespread outrage and significantly damaged his public image.

Despite being out on bail, Martin’s appointment as Baroda Ranji team coach in 2017 by the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) sparked further controversy, drawing criticism from various quarters.

A Career Overshadowed by Controversy

Once seen as a dependable domestic run-machine and a cricketer of immense potential, Jacob Martin’s career trajectory has been repeatedly overshadowed by legal battles and controversies. His latest arrest has once again raised questions about his personal conduct and has brought an uncomfortable chapter of his life back into public focus.

As investigations continue, Martin’s story stands as a stark reminder of how off-field actions can eclipse on-field achievements, even for those who once represented the country at the highest level.