title: Raj Naik
text: # Raj Naik
  
  Rajesh Rama Naik (born 20 December 1974) is a former Indian first-class cricketer.
  
  ## Life and career
  
  Naik was born at Mapusa in north Goa. He made his debut for Goa in a List A one-day match against Kerala in December 1993 in the Ranji Trophy One Day competition. He featured twice more for Goa in that seasons competition. Having not featured for Goa since his three initial one-day matches, Naik made a return to the Goan side, returning to one-day action in the 1995/96 Ranji Trophy One Day competition. He made his debut in first-class cricket in January 1996 against Tamil Nadu in the 1995–96 Ranji Trophy. He continued to play first-class and List A one-day cricket for Goa until the 2003/04 season, having by that point played a total of 28 first-class and 20 List A matches for Goa. He scored 1,047 runs in first-class cricket, with a highest score of 133, which was his only century. His batting average was low, averaging just 20.52; he bowled 129.5 overs in first-class cricket, taking two wickets at the high average of 227.00. In List A matches he scored 326 runs, with a top score of 78 not out; he took seven wickets in one-day cricket, with a bowling average of 45.57. Naik also featured in a single List A match for the Will's XI against the Indian Board President's XI in the 1997/98 Wills Trophy at Bhilwara. Naik was dismissed in this match without scoring by Jacob Martin.
  
  He later moved to England to take up cricket coaching, where he played club cricket in Dorset and Hampshire. After strong performances in the Dorset league, Naik was selected to make his debut for Dorset in a friendly 20-over match against Somerset, played as part of Somerset's preparations for the 2010 Twenty20 Cup. He dismissed England international Craig Kieswetter during the match. Later that season, Naik made two appearances for Dorset in the Minor Counties Championship. He opened an Indian restaurant in Bournemouth in 2011.
  
  