India star with over 9,000 runs arrested for drunk driving after Vadodara accident

Former India cricketer Jacob Martin was arrested in Vadodara after he crashed his car while driving under the influence of alcohol late on the night of January 26.

India Today reported that the incident happened near Puneet Nagar Society in the Akota area. Martin was driving his MG Hector when he lost control of the vehicle due to heavy intoxication and rammed into three parked cars on the roadside: a Kia Seltos, a Hyundai Venue, and a Maruti Celerio. All three vehicles were badly damaged.

People living nearby heard the loud crash and rushed outside. They immediately informed the police. The Akota police arrived at the spot, questioned Martin, and confirmed that he was drunk at the time of the accident. He was then arrested for drunk driving.

Earlier the same night, police had detained six people, including Martin, for consuming alcohol on the terrace of Shalin Flats near Gotri Mother’s School. During questioning, Martin told the police that the gathering was a small party organised for his friends to celebrate his daughter’s birthday.

This is not the first time Martin has found himself in trouble. He was earlier named in a case related to shooting at pigeons, which had also drawn police attention.

When did it happen?

According to officials, the accident happened around 2:30 am IST, when Martin was returning home to Puneet Nagar Society from the Akota area. Due to his intoxicated condition, he failed to control the steering wheel, leading to the collision.

Jacob Martin's cricketing career

Jackob Martin was a right-handed middle-order batsman who represented India in 10 One Day Internationals between 1999 and 2001. In those matches, he scored 158 runs, with his highest score being 39 against Pakistan at the WACA in Perth in 2000.

Martin enjoyed a highly successful domestic career. He made his first-class debut for Baroda during the 1991–92 Ranji Trophy season and went on to become one of the team’s most dependable batters. In 138 first-class matches, he scored 9,192 runs at an impressive average of 46.65, including 23 centuries and 47 half-centuries.

His best season came in 1998–99, when he crossed 1,000 runs in a single Ranji Trophy campaign, an achievement managed by very few players.