Former Indian Test captain Ajit Wadekar dead at 77

Former Indian Test captain Ajit Wadekar passed away after a prolonged illness in Mumbai's Jaslok Hospital on Wednesday (August 15). He was 77 years old. 

Wadekar made his first-class debut in 1958-59 and played 237 matches, scoring 15,380 runs at an average of 47.03.

Described as an "aggressive batsman",  Wadekar made his debut for India in 1966 playing against West Indies.

He played 37 Test matches for India and scored a total of 2113 runs, including one century and 14 half-centuries.

He was appointed as the captain of the Indian cricket team in 1971 and became the first skipper to achieve an overseas win during India's West Indies and England tour in 1971.

Wadekar also served as the manager of the Indian cricket team in the 1990s, during Mohammed Azharuddin's tenure as captain.

President Ram Nath Kovind expressed grief over Wadekar's demise. 

"Sad at the passing of Ajit Wadekar, one of Indian cricket’s finest left-handed batsman and captain during the iconic overseas test victories in 1971 in the Caribbean and England. Condolences to his family and to the cricket fraternity," President Kovind tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to pay homage to the departed soul.

"Ajit Wadekar will be remembered for his rich contribution to Indian cricket. A great batsman & wonderful captain, he led our team to some of the most memorable victories in our cricketing history. He was also respected as an effective cricket administrator. Pained by his demise," PM Modi tweeted.

Wadekar was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1967 and Padmashri in 1972.