Full Name

Ajit Laxman Wadekar

Born

April 01, 1941, Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra

Died

August 15, 2018, Mumbai, Maharashtra, (aged 77y 136d)

Batting Style

Left hand Bat

Bowling Style

Left arm Medium, Slow Left arm Orthodox

Playing Role

Top order Batter

Other

Referee

An aggressive left-hand batsman who became slightly bogged down by responsibility, Ajit Wadekar's name will forever be linked with 1971 when he led the Indian team to historic triumphs in the West Indies and England. Wadekar made his first-class debut in 1958-59 but had to wait eight years before playing for India in 1966-67, despite a string of big scores around the domestic circuit. But he took little time to establish himself in the Indian team and was a tower of strength to the Indian batting for seven years, playing scintillating or valuable knocks depending upon the state of the game. He was one of the best No. 3 batsmen in the history of Indian cricket and one of the finest slip fielders.

Vijay Merchant's casting vote as chairman of the selection committee ended MAK Pataudi's long reign as Indian captain and handed over the leadership to Wadekar in January 1971. He proved himself to be a capable captain, if not a shrewd tactician, and a combination of circumstances, and a fair share of good fortune, led to India beating West Indies and then England. A third successive series triumph over England, this time at home, followed in 1972-73 and Wadekar was at his peak as batsman and captain when he led India to England in 1974. What followed was anti climax. All three Tests were lost by margins that brooked no argument in what went down as the inglorious `Summer of 42'. Made a scapegoat, Wadekar was forced to retire, although a reluctance to spend time away from his young family would probably have led to him standing down whatever the outcome of the tour. Almost three decades later he renewed his association with Indian cricket as a successful manager of victorious Indian teams, striking a particularly good working relationship with Mohammad Azharuddin.

In 2007, Wadekar joined the ICL where he served as a match referee, but was released from his contract with the unofficial league and was granted amnesty by the BCCI in 2009.
Partab Ramchand June 2009

Career Averages
Batting & Fielding
FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6sCtSt
Test37713211314331.07--114-2460
ODI220736736.509081.110111010
FC237360331538032347.03--3684--2710
List A5411938764.33--02--30
Bowling
FormatMatInnsBallsRunsWktsBBIBBMAveEconSR4w5w10w
Test37761550---5.40-000
ODI2------------
FC237-1622908212/0-43.233.3577.2-00
List A5-000-----000
Ajit Laxman Wadekar
Explore Statsguru Analysis
Test
ODI
Debut/Last Matches - Player
FC Matches
Span
1958/59 - 1974/75
List A Matches
Span
1973/74 - 1974
Photos
Relatives and friends carry the body of Ajit Wadekar to a crematorium in Mumbai
A truck carrying the body of Ajit Wadekar makes its way to a crematorium in Mumbai
Members of the Indian team on tour in England observe a minute's silence in memory of Ajit Wadekar before their training session
Ajit Wadekar strikes a pose
Former India and Pakistan players were felicitated
Ajit Wadekar receives his lifetime achievement award from BCCI president N Srinivasan