Considered as one the greatest captains in the historical past of Indian cricket, Ajit Laxman Wadekar, popularly generally known as Ajit Wadekar was the participant who made India cricketers consider in themselves after main them to memorable wins towards the greatest sides in the world throughout his profession. Born on this present day in 1941 in Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, he went on to turn out to be India’s greatest captain in the longest format of the recreation.
Wadekar made his first-class debut for Bombay in 1958-59, he needed to wait eight years earlier than taking part in for the nationwide facet in 1966-67 towards the mighty West Indies at the Brabourne Stadium in Bombay. Despite taking part in in simply 37 Tests, he emerged as a tower of energy to the Indian batting for seven lengthy years. He scored 2,113 runs at a mean of 31.07 and in addition performed in two ODI’s. Wadekar captained the Indian facet which received the collection in West Indies and England. It was additionally below his captaincy, the place India received 5 matches in the Caribbean in the early Seventies and in addition recorded successive collection wins over England.
3. It was below his management when India created historical past by registering their first ever Test collection wins towards England and the West Indies in 1971.
4. Other than the historic wins, Wadekar had the capacity to attract Test matches from perilous conditions and following it with collection wins was one thing he might handle simply.
5. He honed the abilities of legends reminiscent of Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Vishwanathan, Farokh Engineer and Bishen Bedi amongst others who made their debut for India below his captaincy.
6. He was additionally the captain of India’s first-ever ODI recreation and scored 67 runs.
7. Wadekar can also be amongst the three compatriots to symbolize the nation as a Test participant, captain, coach/supervisor and the Chairman of Selectors. He was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1967 and the Padma Shri in 1972.
