A file photograph of Ajit Wadekar
Former Indian cricket team captain Ajit Wadekar died on Wednesday at the age of 77. Wadekar breathed his last at Mumbai's Jaslok hospital after prolonged illness. He is survived by his wife Rekha, two sons and a daughter.
Wadekar, who played 37 Tests and 2 ODIs for India, was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1941 and was regarded as one of India's and world's best No.3 batsmen.
Wadekar took over the reins of captaincy from Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and led India to their first Test series wins in West Indies and England in 1971.
Wadekar, an aggressive left-handed batsman, also led India in their first One-Day International against England in 1974.
Wadekar scored over 2,100 international runs, scoring one hundred and 14 half-centuries. He also played 237 first-class matches and scored a massive 15,380 runs at an average of 47.03.
Post his retirement, Wadekar also served the Indian cricket team as a manager during the 1990's and formed a good relationship with the then captain, Mohammad Azharuddin.
Wadekar is also one of the few Indian cricketers to represent India as captain, coach and chief of selectors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed grief over Wadekar's demise.
"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," PM Modi wrote in his tweet.
"Sad at the passing of Ajit Wadekar, one of Indian cricket’s finest left-handed batsman and captain during the iconic overseas test victories in 1971 in the Caribbean and England. Condolences to his family and to the cricket fraternity," President Kovind tweeted.
