5 Unknown facts about India’s first ODI captain, Ajit Wadekar

Last updated Aug 17, 2018

NP News Network
Mumbai

Former Indian captain and coach Ajit Wadekar passes away in Mumbai on Wednesday. He was known for being a pioneer in winning test matches in England and West Indies. He was 77 years old.

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In a Test career lasting eight years, Wadekar played in 37 matches, scoring 2113 runs at an average of 31.07 with 14 fifties and one hundred, that being 143 against New Zealand at Wellington in 1968. But the numbers do not exactly tell the story of a cricketer, who possibly made Indian cricket captaincy a coveted job.
He also represented India in two ODIs, making 73 runs. Post-retirement, Wadekar served as the manager of the Indian cricket team in the 1990s and was a part of the selection panel, during that period.

The Mumbaikar went on to serve as India’s manager in the ’90s during Mohammed Azharuddin’s captaincy. In his tenure as manager, India had finished semi-finalists at the 1996 World Cup.
“Wadekar was rushed to Mumbai based Jaslok Hospital. Ajit Wadekar was declared dead on arrival at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre. He had been critically unwell for some time and was seeking treatment for the same.”Official statement from Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre.

Top 5 unknown facts about Ajit Wadekar:
1. Pioneer in overseas win

He was the 1st captain ever to win a test series against England in 1971. He showed the world that the Indian cricket team can win overseas as well.

2. Career Shaper.

He shaped the career of legendary cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Vishwanath, S Venkatraghavan and BS Bedi. All these legends received their maiden international caps from him.

3. The captain who taught captaincy.

Indian count the greatness of a captain according to the trophies he has won, but once legendary batsmen Sunil Gavaskar said that Ajit Wadekar was the real captain of India.

4. He was the 1st ODI captain of India.

India has a captain who has won all the limited overs trophies but Ajit Wadekar holds a special record of leading the Indian team on its ODI debut in 1974.

5. Captain, Manager and Chief Selector.

He also holds the unique feat of being the only cricketer other than Lala Amarnath and Chandu Borde, to have held the position of captain, manager, and chief selector at least once in his lifetime.