Ajit Wadekar, Former Cricket Team Captain dies at 77
Thursday - August 16, 2018 11:57 am ,
Category : INDIA
Former Indian cricket team captain Ajit Wadekar died at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday night. He was 77 years old. Wadekar was India's first cricket captain, who won the series abroad, Born on 1 April 1941, Wadekar played the first Test for India in 1966. He played 37 Tests in an eight-year career. He scored 2113 runs in Tests with the help of one century and 14 half-centuries. The government honored him with Arjuna Award in 1967 and Padma Shri in 1972. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweet his condolence on the death of Wadekar
In 1971 Indian Cricket Team team went to the West Indies under the captaincy of Ajit Wadekar. In first Test, India forced the West Indies to follow on with the help of Dilip Sardesai's double century. However, this test was draw. In the second Test, India defeated the West Indies by seven wickets with the help of Sardesai's century. India made the series by 1-0 in the next three Test draws. This was India's first win abroad. SameIndian Team went to England in the captaincy of Wadekar and defeated England by 2-0.
Ajit Wadekar will be remembered for his rich contribution to Indian cricket. A great batsman & wonderful captain, he led our team to some of the most memorable victories in our cricketing history. He was also respected as an effective cricket administrator. Pained by his demise.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2018
Wadekar wanted to become an engineer. Once, he was going to college with his senior and neighbor Balu Gupte. Balu was in the college's cricket team. He asked Ajit whether you will become the 12th player in the college team. For this you will get three rupee match fees. Ajit could not refuse this offer and joined the college's cricket team. Later, Sunil Gavaskar's uncle Madhav Mantri recognised his talent. On the advice of the Mantri, Wadekar got place in the Indian team.
