Name Hindi: अजित वाडेकर / Gender Coach
Ajit Laxman Wadekar – A Stalwart of Indian Cricket
One of the most notable personalities in the realm of Indian cricket, Ajit Laxman Wadekar, is popularly known for his captaincy during the 1971 Test match series on foreign soil against West Indies and England. This solid opening batsman with his judicious cricketing acumen etched milestones that redefined India’s position on the global cricket map.
Early Life
Born on April 1, 1941 in Bombay, Ajit Wadekar was raised in a modest Marathi family. His passion for cricket took form right from his childhood when he played as an attacking left-hand batsman at school level. He further honed his skills under English coach Frank Tyson while attending the Elphinstone College in Mumbai.
Career Beginning and Domestic Records
Wadekar made his debut in first-class cricket representing Bombay (now Mumbai) team in Ranji Trophy, India’s premier domestic tournament, in the season of 1958-59. In his splendid career span at domestic level over two decades till 1974, he:
- Served Bombay by scoring 4,388 runs at an average of over 40
- Led the team to clinch impressive victories
- Took up leadership roles and showed glowing results
National Team Debut and Performance
Five years after his start at first-class cricket, Wadekar got selected for national duty in December 1966. Known as one among the consistent performers in long innings with remarkable defense tactics, some prominent aspects about his performance are:
- Represented the Indian cricket team in 37 Test matches, scoring 2,113 runs
- Averaged around 31 with a strike rate close to 36
- Served as captain of the Indian team for an unbroken stretch from 1970-74
Tenure as Captain and Leadership Highlights
Famous for his astute understanding of game dynamics and leadership skills, Wadekar’s moment of pride came when he was selected as the captain for Indian cricket team. Under his command:
- The Indian team attained historic victories against giant opponents like West Indies and England on foreign soils in 1971.
- India won five out of thirteen test plays while six resulted in draw under his tenure.
- The wins were majorly attributed to his efficient team selection and strategic decision-making capabilities.
Later Years and Legacy
In recognition to his service towards cricket, Wadekar was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1967 followed by Padma Shri in 1972. Post retirement from active cricketing career, he served as India’s coach/manager leading them to another victorious tour during the 1990s. He passed away on August 15, 2018 but continues to live through his contributions that transformed and uplifted the stature of Indian cricket amidst world-class competition.
