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What made Ajit Wadekar so special

Last updated on: August 17, 2018 10:24 IST

Thank you for the memories, Mr Wadekar!
Indian cricket is forever indebted to you.

Ajit Wadekar

IMAGE: Ajit Wadekar is the only cricketer apart from Lala Amarnath and Chandu Borde to have served as captain, manager, and selector in Indian cricket. Photograph: Central Press/Getty Images

Ajit Wadekar, one of Indian cricket's most famous personalities, passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday, August 15.

As a captain he guided India to its most famous and first-ever Test series win against the mighty West Indies in 1971. He then followed it up with another big triumph over England in the same season, which made him a popular icon in the country.

Mr Wadekar is the only cricketer apart from Lala Amarnath and Chandu Borde to have served as captain, manager, and selector in Indian cricket.

He also guided Mumbai to four Ranji Trophy titles while also serving the Mumbai Cricket Association in various capacities. He was the current chairman of the MCA's cricket improvement committee despite ill health hampering him in recent months.

Ajit Wadekar's Career Highlights:

Was part of India's first overseas win, against New Zealand in 1968.
First Indian captain to win a Test series against the West Indies (1-0) in 1970-1971.
First Indian captain to win a Test series against England (1-0) in 1971.
First Indian captain to win three consecutive series wins -- vs the West Indies in 1970-1971, vs England in 1971 and vs England in 1972-1973.
Led Bombay to Ranji Trophy triumphs in 1968-1969, 1969-1970, 1971-1972 and 1972-1973.
Appeared in 11 Ranji finals for Bombay -- never ended on the losing side!
Was India's coach-cum-manager from 1992 to 1996 and made a winning pair with Captain Mohammad Azharuddin, including a 3-0 series win over England, winning the Hero Cup tournament and a streak of 14 unbeaten Tests.
Chairman of the selectors in 1998-1999.

Awards and Honour:

Arjuna Award in 1967.
Padma Shri in 1972.
C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.

Test Career

	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	Avg	100s	50s	0s	Ct	Captain
v West Indies in India, 1966-1967	2	79	67	19.75	0	1	1	2	0
v England in England, 1967	3	242	91	40.33	0	3	1	6	0
v Australia in Australia, 1967-1968	4	212	99	26.5	0	1	1	5	0
v New Zealand in New Zealand, 1967-1968	4	328	143	46.86	1	2	0	10	0
v New Zealand in India, 1969-1970	3	167	49	27.83	0	0	0	6	0
v Australia in India, 1969-1970	5	336	91*	37.33	0	3	1	3	0
v West Indies in West Indies, 1970-1971	5	151	54	21.57	0	1	1	5	5
v England in England, 1971	3	204	85	34	0	1	0	5	3
v England in India, 1972-1973	5	312	90	34.67	0	2	2	4	5
v England in England, 1974	3	82	36	13.67	0	0	0	0	3
	37	2,113	143	31.07	1	14	7	46	16
v Australia	9	548	99	32.23	0	4	2	8	0
v England	14	840	91	31.11	0	6	3	15	11
v New Zealand	7	497	143	38.23	1	2	0	16	0
v West Indies	7	230	67	20.9	0	2	2	7	5
at home	15	894	91*	31.93	0	6	4	15	5
abroad	22	1,219	143	30.48	1	8	3	31	11

Captaincy record in Test cricket:

	Matches	Won	Lost	Drawn
v West Indies	5	1	0	4
v England	11	3	4	4
Total	16	4	4	8

Ranji Trophy Record:

Matches	Runs	Highest Score	Average	100s	50s	0s	Ct	Captain
73	4388	323	59.29	12	23	1	93	30

Captaincy record in Ranji Trophy:

Matches	Won	Lost	Drawn
30	16	0	14

Rajneesh Gupta