MUMBAI: Former India captain Ajit Wadekar passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday. The 77-year-old, who served Indian cricket in quite a lot of capacities, had been in and out of hospital lately. It was all through his tenure as the captain that India gained their first-ever Test collection in West Indies and England in 1971. He is survived through wife Rekha and a son and a daughter who have both settled down in another country.
READ ALSO: Former India Test captain Ajit Wadekar passes away
The left-handed Wadekar, who made his debut in 1966 at Mumbai towards West Indies went directly to play 31 Tests, scoring 100 and 14 fifties earlier than calling it quits in 1974. Interestingly, it was former India captain Vijay Merchant's casting vote as chairman of the choice committee which ended MAK Pataudi's long reign as India captain and handed over the reins to Wadekar in January 1971. After being away from the game for a while, Wadekar was appointed as the coach for India's historic tour of South Africa in 1992.
He formed a formidable partnership with captain Mohammad Azharuddin particularly at home and later performed an instrumental function in turning Sachin Tendulkar's occupation through making the batting maestro open the innings in One-Day Internationals all through the tour of New Zealand in 1994. Tendulkar never regarded again after that and went directly to nook all batting records and emerged as one of the recreation's greatest ever batsmen.
Azharuddin advised TOI that Wadekar's death was a non-public loss for him. "He was an outstanding player and captain and one of the best human beings."
Wadekar give up as the coach after India exited the 1996 World Cup at the semifinal level after losing to Sri Lanka at Kolkata. He later additionally served as the chairman of selectors.
He additionally in short dabbled in cricket administration as he took at the may of Sharad Pawar and contested the Mumbai Cricket Association polls for president in 2001.
"The sun goes down on another legend and my all-time favourite cricketer. By far, he was one of the most popular cricketers of the 60s. His contribution to Mumbai and India as a captain and as a stylish batsman, is huge. His team of 1971 was mainly responsible to set a winning trend for Indian cricket abroad," former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar, who was a neighbour of Wadekar, said.
Ajit Wadekar and BS Chandrasekhar wave to cheering crowds at The Oval after India gained the Test Series towards England. (Getty Images)
Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly too expressed surprise. "I will miss him very much. He was very dear to me. It's a sad day."
Legendary left-arm-spinner Bishan Singh Bedi, who was a part of Wadekar's twin triumphs in England and West Indies, tweeted, "Very sad news of Ajit Wadekar passing away. The only Indian captain to win 3 collection in a row, two away and one at home. Ajit Wadekar was a good contemporary. We had differences of opinion however at all times respected glory of cricket. He was a advantageous batsman and a super close in catcher. Served Indian Cricket with aplomb as player and selector and coach.
Current India coach Ravi Shastri tweeted, "Sad second for Indian cricket to lose one in every of its most a hit captains. Shrewd to the core. Condolences to the entire circle of relatives."
The funeral details are awaited.
READ ALSO: Former India Test captain Ajit Wadekar passes away
The left-handed Wadekar, who made his debut in 1966 at Mumbai towards West Indies went directly to play 31 Tests, scoring 100 and 14 fifties earlier than calling it quits in 1974. Interestingly, it was former India captain Vijay Merchant's casting vote as chairman of the choice committee which ended MAK Pataudi's long reign as India captain and handed over the reins to Wadekar in January 1971. After being away from the game for a while, Wadekar was appointed as the coach for India's historic tour of South Africa in 1992.
He formed a formidable partnership with captain Mohammad Azharuddin particularly at home and later performed an instrumental function in turning Sachin Tendulkar's occupation through making the batting maestro open the innings in One-Day Internationals all through the tour of New Zealand in 1994. Tendulkar never regarded again after that and went directly to nook all batting records and emerged as one of the recreation's greatest ever batsmen.
Deeply saddened to hear in regards to the death of Ajit Wadekar Sir. He was anyone who was instrumental in bringing out t… https://t.co/TB0BHoSBy9
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) 1534390593000Azharuddin advised TOI that Wadekar's death was a non-public loss for him. "He was an outstanding player and captain and one of the best human beings."
#AjitWadekar sir .. such an iconic individual..deeply saddened through his death!! Sir was a father figure for me.. May his… https://t.co/AMfjC0qxAh
— Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) 1534360452000Wadekar give up as the coach after India exited the 1996 World Cup at the semifinal level after losing to Sri Lanka at Kolkata. He later additionally served as the chairman of selectors.
He additionally in short dabbled in cricket administration as he took at the may of Sharad Pawar and contested the Mumbai Cricket Association polls for president in 2001.
"The sun goes down on another legend and my all-time favourite cricketer. By far, he was one of the most popular cricketers of the 60s. His contribution to Mumbai and India as a captain and as a stylish batsman, is huge. His team of 1971 was mainly responsible to set a winning trend for Indian cricket abroad," former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar, who was a neighbour of Wadekar, said.
Ajit Wadekar and BS Chandrasekhar wave to cheering crowds at The Oval after India gained the Test Series towards England. (Getty Images)
Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly too expressed surprise. "I will miss him very much. He was very dear to me. It's a sad day."
Legendary left-arm-spinner Bishan Singh Bedi, who was a part of Wadekar's twin triumphs in England and West Indies, tweeted, "Very sad news of Ajit Wadekar passing away. The only Indian captain to win 3 collection in a row, two away and one at home. Ajit Wadekar was a good contemporary. We had differences of opinion however at all times respected glory of cricket. He was a advantageous batsman and a super close in catcher. Served Indian Cricket with aplomb as player and selector and coach.
V sad news-Ajit Wadekar passing away-only Indn Capt to win three collection in a row-2 away 1 at home-ALW was good contempo… https://t.co/7G8rKoaufL
— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) 1534355080000Current India coach Ravi Shastri tweeted, "Sad second for Indian cricket to lose one in every of its most a hit captains. Shrewd to the core. Condolences to the entire circle of relatives."
Sad second for Indian cricket to lose one in every of its most a hit captains. Shrewd to the core. Condolences to the e… https://t.co/8lO7e4KBlZ
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) 1534355794000Ajit Wadekar’s have an effect on on Indian cricket is immense. His contemporaries worshipped him, such was his charisma. Found him… https://t.co/MskRXglw7I
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) 1534358902000Oh, I can dearly omit him 😔 This p.c taken in that same fit. I was very keen on him and I guess he didn’t mind… https://t.co/iIkxUeKEiD
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) 1534359266000The funeral details are awaited.
When Wadekar made Tendulkar open the innings in ODIs
![When Wadekar made Tendulkar open the innings in ODIs]()
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