Ajit Laxman Wadekar (1 April 1941 – 15 August 2018) was an Indian cricketer who captained the Indian national cricket team in the early 1970s. A left-handed batsman from Bombay, he is best remembered for leading India to its first Test series wins in the West Indies and in England, both achieved in 1971. After retiring as a player, he served Indian cricket as a manager, coach, selector and administrator.
Key facts
| Full name | Ajit Laxman Wadekar |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 April 1941, Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India |
| Died | 15 August 2018, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Batting | Left-handed |
| Role | Specialist batsman; occasional slip fielder |
| Domestic team | Bombay |
| Test debut | 1966, vs West Indies |
| Captaincy | India, 1971–1974 |
| Notable honours | Arjuna Award (1967); Padma Shri (1972) |
Background
Wadekar was born in Bombay and educated at Elphinstone College. He initially trained in mathematics but was drawn to cricket through college and club competition in the city, then one of the strongest cricketing centres in India. He came up through the rich Bombay school of batsmanship, which placed a premium on technique and the ability to bat for long periods.
Domestic career
Wadekar played first-class cricket for Bombay in the Ranji Trophy from the late 1950s. He was a central figure in the Bombay side that dominated Indian domestic cricket through the 1960s and early 1970s, winning the Ranji Trophy repeatedly during his playing years. His high domestic output, particularly in the middle order, established him as a candidate for national selection.
International career
Wadekar made his Test debut for India in the 1966–67 season against the West Indies. Over the next several years he became a regular in the Indian middle order, valued for his composure against pace and his sound technique against spin.
Captaincy
In 1971, Wadekar was appointed captain of India in succession to the Nawab of Pataudi Jr. His tenure produced two of the most celebrated results in Indian cricket history:
- 1971 tour of the West Indies: India won the five-Test series 1–0, the country's first Test series victory against the West Indies. The tour also marked the emergence of Sunil Gavaskar.
- 1971 tour of England: India won the three-Test series 1–0 with a famous victory at The Oval, sealed by the spin bowling of B. S. Chandrasekhar. It was India's first Test and series win in England.
Wadekar also led India to a home series win against England in 1972–73. His captaincy ended after the difficult 1974 tour of England, in which India was heavily defeated, including being dismissed for 42 at Lord's. He retired from international cricket soon afterwards.
After retirement
Wadekar worked for the State Bank of India for many years, eventually serving in senior positions. He returned to Indian cricket in administrative and team roles, including:
- Chairman of the national selection committee.
- Manager and team coach of the Indian cricket team in the 1990s, working alongside captain Mohammad Azharuddin during a period that included home series success and improved limited-overs results.
Honours and recognition
- Arjuna Award (1967), for distinguished achievement in cricket.
- Padma Shri (1972), India's fourth-highest civilian honour, awarded after the twin series wins in the West Indies and England.
- Wadekar's leadership of the 1971 sides is widely regarded as a turning point that helped establish India as a competitive Test-playing nation overseas.
Death
Wadekar died in Mumbai on 15 August 2018 after a prolonged illness. Tributes were paid by the Board of Control for Cricket in India and by leading cricketers across generations.
Significance
Within Indian cricket, Wadekar is remembered as the captain under whom India first learned to win Test series abroad. His combination of calm leadership, faith in the spin quartet of Bishan Singh Bedi, B. S. Chandrasekhar, E. A. S. Prasanna and S. Venkataraghavan, and trust in young batsmen such as Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Viswanath shaped the identity of the Indian Test team in the 1970s.
Related topics
- India national cricket team
- Bombay cricket team
- Ranji Trophy
- Sunil Gavaskar
- Bishan Singh Bedi
- B. S. Chandrasekhar
- Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi
- Mohammad Azharuddin
- Arjuna Award
- Padma Shri
References
- Wikidata entity: Q3521097
- Board of Control for Cricket in India, official records.
- ESPNcricinfo player profile, Ajit Wadekar.