India’s first ever One-Day International skipper Ajit Wadekar passed away on Wednesday at the age of 77 after a prolonged illness. Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, in a tweet, remembered the legendary Indian cricketer who led India to their first win against England in 1971.
The cricketer-turned-commentator shared a video of a friendly match in which Wadekar came out to bat. Along with the video, Manjrekar wrote, “Ajit Wadekar’s impact on Indian cricket is immense. His contemporaries worshipped him, such was his aura. Found him to be a tough character as coach. Exceptional Indian cricketer… RIP Sir.”
Ajit Wadekar’s impact on Indian cricket is immense. His contemporaries worshipped him, such was his aura. Found him to be a tough character as coach. Exceptional Indian cricketer… RIP Sir.🙏
Recorded this on my iPhone last Dec from Point in a friendly fixture. So glad I did. pic.twitter.com/XbdFGn4Izp— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) August 15, 2018
Manjrekar also added that he was glad he got a chance to take the video which he shared. He wrote, “Recorded this on my iPhone last Dec from Point in a friendly fixture. So glad I did.”
Oh, I will dearly miss him 😔
This pic taken in that same match. I was very fond of him and I guess he didn’t mind me too much either.#RIPWadekar pic.twitter.com/lvFbcA3gx2— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) August 15, 2018
Manjrekar further went on to share a photo of him standing with Wadekar and wrote, “Oh, I will dearly miss him. This pic taken in that same match. I was very fond of him and I guess he didn’t mind me too much either.”
Wadekar was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) on April 1, 1941. Making his international cricket debut in 1966, Wadekar had played 37 Tests and 2 ODIs. Apart from leading the national side in both ODIs that he had played in July 1974, Wadekar had also led the national side in 16 Tests.
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Under his captaincy, India had won their first ever Test match on the West Indies and England soil. Moreover, earlier, he was also in the Indian playing XI when India won their first ever Test match on the New Zealand soil.
He was the Indian cricket team manager from September 1992 to March 1996. Later, he had also served as the Selection Committee Chairman from October 1998 to September 1999. He was one of the only three members who has represented India as a Test cricketer, captain, coach/manager and the chairman of selectors. The other two Indian cricketers who have achieved all of these feats are – Lala Amarnath and Chandu Borde.
