PM Narendra Modi, Indian cricket fraternity lead tributes to legendary captain Ajit Wadekar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and the Indian cricket fraternity led the tributes to former Indian cricket team captain Ajit Wadekar, who died on Wednesday at the age of 77. Wadekar breathed his last at Mumbai's Jaslok Hospital after a prolonged illness.
PM Modi, in his Tweet, said Wadekar would 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," Modi tweeted.
Meanwhile, President Kovind expressed his grief, saying "Wadekar was one of Indian cricket’s finest left-handed batsman and captain during the iconic overseas test victories in 1971 in the Caribbean and England."
Many past and present cricketers too paid their respects to the legendary cricketer.
Wadekar, who played 37 Tests, led India to historic triumphs in the West Indies and England in the 1970s. Under him, India won five matches in the West Indies in the early 1970s before beating England in a three-match series.
Wadekar, who scored 2,113 Test runs with 14 half-centuries and a century, led India to a third successive series victory, beating England once again in 1972-73.
He also appeared in two One-day Internationals. An aggressive left-handed batsman, Wadekar made his first-class debut in 1958-59 before making his India debut in 1966-67.
After his retirement, he also served as the Manager of the national team led by Mohammed Azharuddin in the 1990s.
(With agency inputs)
