Ranji's subseqent purchase of a castle and estate in Connemara in western Ireland did much to boost the fledgling Irish state, as did his promotion of Ireland as a tourist haven, according Chambers.

'Ranji and his Indian entourage settled with surprising ease into life in this remote part of Ireland. The annual arrival of 'the Ranji' as he became known, was welcomed with great celebration by the local community to whom he became both a friend and a benefactor,' Chambers said.

'His memory is still revered in Connemara today by the descendants of the many people he employed there. His Indian entourage mingled at ease in the local community at a time when racism was rife and which Ranji, despite his status and cricketing talent, had personally faced many times in England and in British-ruled India.'

The Irish Ranji Trophy is not only aimed at boosting India-Ireland ties - encouraged by a recent visit to Dublin by former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam - but will also involve Indians settled in the country. At least 100 to 150 of the estimated 25,000 people of Indian origin living in Ireland play cricket at the club level, contributing to the increasing popularity of the game.

'There is actually a fairly good selection of Indian cricketers here - a place in the Indian XI is by no means guaranteed,' said Raghavan.

Ireland tops the list of 34 associate members of the International Cricket Conference (ICC) and made it to the Super Eight stage of the ICC World Twenty20 held in England last month.