Former India Cricket captain Ajit Wadekar passes away aged 77


Mumbai, Aug 16 (Agencies) : Ajit Wadekar, the former India captain, has passed away at the age of 77 on Wednesday (August 15) after a prolonged illness.

Wadekar, the captain in India's first ever Test series wins in England and West Indies, played 37 Tests and compiled 2113 runs at an average of 31.07. His only Test hundred came against New Zealand in Wellington in February 1968, a knock that helped India win the Test. Eventually, the Asian nation won their first-ever series (3-1) away from home.

Wadekar also played a gutsy innings of 99 against Australia at the MCG in 1967-68. India trailed Australia by 356 runs after a nightmarish first-innings performance before Wadekar's fine hand helped the visitors reach a respectable total of 352 in the second innings.

Despite being a left-handed No.3 batsman of good repute, Wadekar's name will forever be synonymous with India's series victories in West Indies and England in the summer of 1971. India won the Test played at Port of Spain to clinch the five-match Test series against the Windies 1-0 and a few months later clinched the three-match series in England with a win in the final Test at The Oval.

Wadekar, India's 16th Test captain, led the country in 16 Tests, with India winning four and losing four matches. He stepped down from his position after India slipped to a 3-0 series loss in England in 1974. He played and captained two One-Day Internationals at the end of that tour and subsequently called time on his international career.

He went on to play just one more first class game versus Saurashtra before hanging up his boots.

Wadekar made his first class debut way back in 1958-59 for Bombay [now Mumbai] against Madras. His breakthrough season in first class cricket came in 1964-65 when he averaged 67.75. He followed it up by averaging 71.50 in 1965-66. He recorded his highest first class score of 323 against Mysore.

Eventually, he made his Test debut against the Windies at the Brabourne stadium in December 1966. He ended his first class career with 15380 runs at 47.03. He also bagged 21 wickets.

Post his playing career, Wadekar served as selector and also as the coach-cum-manager of the Indian side in 1992-93. He formed a successful partnership with then India captain Mohammad Azharuddin and in his tenure, India grew to be a dominant force in home conditions, capsulised by the point that they didn't lose a single series at home during that period.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Ramesh Babu, Uppinangdi / Dubai

    Thu, Aug 16 2018

    Stylist Left Handed Cricketer of his his Era. May his soul be blessed by Almighty to shed light on future generation...
    An extraordinary safe hands in the slips

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Augustine Daniel DSouza, Udupi Mumbai STATE OF KUWAIT.

    Thu, Aug 16 2018

    Ajit Wadekar is great player from MUMBAI. My heartfelt condolences to his family. May his Soul Rest in Peace.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • David Pais, Mangalore

    Thu, Aug 16 2018

    ajit wadekar is a great cricketer. r.i.p

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lionel Dsouza, Mangalore

    Thu, Aug 16 2018

    RIP...

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • PenMightierThanTheSword!, Mangalore

    Thu, Aug 16 2018

    Ajit Wadekar besides being a thorough gentleman was a superb, stylish batsman as well as a fabulous fielder in the slips. As captain of the Indian team Wadekar led cricketing greats of the likes of Sunil Gavaskar, G.R. Viswanath, Farokh Engineer, Bishen Singh Bedi, E.A.S. Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar and S. Venkataraghavan. In 1971, Wadekar led India to a glorious series win in the West Indies, which was followed by an even more glorious win in England with an epic victory at the Oval — thanks to a brilliant magical bowling spell by Chandrashekar who ran through the England bating line-up! Then in 1972/73 he led India to victory in the home series against the England team captained by Tony Lewis! Padmashri Ajit Wadekar will be remembered! May he rest in Peace!!!

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  • Naveen Frank, Sharjah

    Thu, Aug 16 2018

    There was no TV in 1971. The excitement was captured on the radio commentary. We waited patiently for three days for Indian Express to publish a photo of the London match on its last sports page. He led a great team that made Indian cricket proud. We have lost a great cricketer and a perfect gentleman. May his soul rest in peace.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Eustace, Mumbai

    Thu, Aug 16 2018

    Captain is dead. An extraordinary safe hands in the slips. An admired 1 down batsman. Salute. A very calm person on and off field, a personal experience. RIP, Sir.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • G R PRABHUJI, Mangalore

    Thu, Aug 16 2018

    Rare to see such a cricketer. We are lucky to see his cricketstyle. RIP WADEKAR.

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  • JAYESH.S., KARKALA

    Thu, Aug 16 2018

    ONE OF BEST CAPTAIN EVER HAD...GAVASKAR...VENGRASJAR..KIRMANI..DURANI..FAROOQ ARE ALL BEST PLAYERS UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Max and Jessie Rasquinha, Mangalore - Houston/Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.

    Thu, Aug 16 2018

    We are sorry to note that former Indian Cricket Captain Ajit Wadekar passed away. During his time, India had a good cricket team and had won several World series cricket matches. Players such as Merchant, Padkar, Azare and many others are the names coming back to memory bringing various past cricket test matches.


    India should continue aggressively all the sports activities by spending more money and organizing more Sports competitions. India has the young talent that needs prompt recognitions and support.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Thu, Aug 16 2018

    Stylist Left Handed Cricketer of his his Era.
    RIP Ajit Wadekar ...

    DisAgree [4] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • leslie, udupi

    Thu, Aug 16 2018

    Warrior of cricket...
    He won not only matches ... But hearts galore...
    True to his words.. He performed while playing and coaching...
    May his soul be blessed by Almighty to shed light on future generation...
    An inspiration will never extinguish... It will light on and on...

    DisAgree [4] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse


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