Sachin Tendulkar and Sameer Dighe during the funeral of former cricketer Ajit Wadekar, at his residence in Mumbai on August 17, 2018. Sachin Tendulkar paid an emotional tribute to Ajit Wadekar after the former Indian captain's demise, he wrote, 'Wadekar sir had multiple roles, but he was also our good friend, It took some time to know him [Ajit Wadekar] well. We were not so close on the 1992-93 tour of South Africa where he would tell me what had to be done. But after that, we slowly started enjoying his company.' Pic/Atul Kamble.
Sachin Tendulkar, who was coached by Ajit Wadekar, while playing for India in the 1990s, paid a tribute to the former captain. Sachin wrote remembering how Wadekar helped his elevation to an opener, 'I always had this feeling that I can go after the bowling up front. I told Wadekar sir that I can do it and if I failed, I wouldn't come to him with this again. He said let's meet [captain] Azhar and he was convinced too,' recalled Tendulkar (In pic: Sachin Tendulkar and Sameer Dighe during the funeral of former cricketer Ajit Wadekar, at his residence in Mumbai on August 17, 2018.) Pic/Atul Kamble.
Gaurd of honour given to former Indian cricketer Ajit Wadekar at his residence in Mumbai on August 17, 2018. - Former Indian cricket captain Ajit Wadekar, who led the country to their first series triumphs in England and West Indies, passed away following a long illness at Sportsfield in Worli in Mumbai on 17/08/2018. Pic/Atul Kamble.
Relatives and friends carry the body of former cricketer Ajit Wadekar to a crematorium in Mumbai on August 17, 2018. Ajit Wadekar was one of the few Indians to represent the country as Test player, captain, coach/manager and the chairman of selectors. Lala Amarnath and Chandu Borde are the only other players to achieve this distinction. Pic/Atul Kamble.
Former Indian cricket captain Ajit Wadekar, who led the country to their first series triumphs in England and West Indies, passed away following a long illness at Sportsfield in Worli in Mumbai on 17/08/2018. Pic/Atul Kamble.
Ajit Wadekar was an Indian international cricketer who played for the Indian national team between 1966 and 1974. Described as an 'aggressive batsman', Wadekar made his first-class debut in 1958, before making his foray into international cricket in 1966. He batted at number three and was considered to be one of the finest slip fielders. Known as 'the original captain cool', Ajit Wadekar also captained the Indian cricket team which won series in the West Indies and England in 1971. The Government of India honoured him with the Arjuna Award (1967) and Padmashri (1972), India's fourth highest civilian honour. Pic/Atul Kamble.
A truck carrying the body of former Indian cricket captain Ajit Wadekar, makes its way to a crematorium in Mumbai on August 17, 2018. Pic/Atul Kamble.
Chandu Patankar during former cricketer Ajit Wadekar's funeral heads to Shivaji park in Dadar in Mumbai on August 17, 2018. Ajit Wadekar was honoured with the Arjuna Award, instituted by the Government of India to recognise sporting talents. In 1972, he received the Padmashri, India's fourth highest civilian honour. Other awards include CK Nayudu Lifetime achievement award, Sportsperson of the Year, and the Castrol Lifetime Achievement award. Pic/Atul Kamble.
Emotional Vinod Kambli and Marathi cricketer writer Dwarkanath Sanzgiri during the funeral of former cricketer Ajit Wadekar in a crematorium in Mumbai on August 17, 2018. Sachin Tendulkar, in a tribute revealed how Ajit Wadekar was close to Sachin and Vinod Kambli during their early days, Sachin said, 'In the mid-1990s, Vinod Kambli and I would spend a lot of time with him during the evenings. He had a great sense of humour, he had fun with us and sometimes there would be some subtle messages thrown in.' Pic/Atul Kamble.
Many cricketers paid tributes to Ajit Wadekar after his demise, one of them being ex-cricketer and wicket-keeper Farokh Engineer. Farokh Engineer, remembering his former captain wrote, 'He had a dry sense of humour and while I will miss his presence at parties, I will also miss his jokes sent from his cell phone. Goodbye Jitya, you played a fine innings, but you could have gone on for a longer one.' (In pic: Wife,son ,daughter and grand daughter of former cricketer Ajit Wadekar in a crematorium in Shivaji park in Dadar in Mumbai on August 17, 2018.) Pic/Atul Kamble.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also is an admirer of Ajit Wadekar, took to Twitter, to share his thoughts on the former Indian captain, '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.' (In pic: Wife,son ,daughter and grand daughter of former cricketer Ajit Wadekar in a crematorium in Shivaji park in Dadar in Mumbai on August 17, 2018.) Pic/Atul Kamble.
Mumbai Police gave the gaurd of honour to former Indian cricketer Ajit Wadekar at a crematorium in Shivaji park in Dadar in Mumbai on August 17, 2018. - Former Indian cricket captain Ajit Wadekar, passed away following a long illness in Mumbai on 17/08/2018. Pic/Atul Kamble.
Sandeep Patil, who took over as coach of the Indian team after Ajit Wadekar, hailed departed skipper for his contribution in making India a strong force during the mid-1990s. Sandeep Patil wrote, 'We youngsters used to copy whatever Ajit did , his walk to crease, his strokes, the way he stood at slip, even the way he spoke. Shivaji Park has lost its darling, Mumbai and Indian cricket has lost a darling and I have lost my darling.' (In pic: Sandeep Patil during former cricketer Ajit Wadekar's funeral in a crematorium in Shivaji park in Dadar in Mumbai on August 17, 2018.) - Former Indian cricket captain Ajit Wadekar, who led the country to their first series triumphs in England and West Indies, passed away following a long illness in Mumbai on 17/08/2018. Pic/Atul Kamble.
Sandeep Patil and Vasu Paranjape during former cricketer Ajit Wadekar's funeral in Shivaji park in Dadar on August 17, 2018. Remembering Ajit Wadekar, Sandeep Patil revealed what a disciplinarian the former Indian captain was, he wrote 'After we won the World Cup quarter-final against Pakistan at Bangalore, a few from the team went out partying and Ajit was very upset. He insisted that we don't get carried away with the so-called euphoria of beating Pakistan. He wanted full focus for the semi-final which we unfortunately lost. The dressing room in Kolkata was a sad place to be in and Ajit kept his cool.' Pic/Atul Kamble.
At a time when the Indian cricket team is struggling to compete in England in the ongoing Test series between the two countries, Ajit Wadekar would have been the ideal man to guide and advice the team. Ajit Wadekar was the first Indian captain to win a Test series in England, a feet most before him or after him have found difficult to achieve. Pic/Atul Kamble.
Wife,son ,daughter and grand daughter of former cricketer Ajit Wadekar in a crematorium in Shivaji park in Dadar in Mumbai on August 17, 2018. Born in Mumbai, Ajit Wadekar's father wished him to study Mathematics so that he could become an engineer, but Wadekar instead preferred to play cricket. He made his first-class debut for Mumbai in 1958,59, before making his international debut in Test in December 1966, against the West Indies at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. After that he became a part of the regular team, and went on to play 37 Test matches for India between 1966 and 1974, generally batting at number three. Pic/Atul Kamble.
Wife, son and daughter of former cricketer Ajit Wadekar thank Ajit Wadekar's followers at a crematorium in Shivaji park in Dadar in Mumbai on August 17, 2018. Former India cricketer Chandu Borde, in a tribute to team-mate Ajit Wadekar recalled, 'Be it as a batsman, skipper and later, as a coach and chief of the national selection committee, he was always a good decision-maker. I think he was a true all-rounder of the game.' Pic/Atul Kamble.
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![Sachin Tendulkar and Sameer Dighe during the funeral of former cricketer Ajit Wadekar, at his residence in Mumbai on August 17, 2018. Sachin Tendulkar paid an emotional tribute to Ajit Wadekar after the former Indian captain's demise, he wrote, 'Wadekar sir had multiple roles, but he was also our good friend, It took some time to know him [Ajit Wadekar] well. We were not so close on the 1992-93 tour of South Africa where he would tell me what had to be done. But after that, we slowly started enjoying his company.' Pic/Atul Kamble.](https://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2021/dec/Ajit-Wadekar-Funeral-c_l_d.jpg "Sachin Tendulkar and Sameer Dighe during the funeral of former cricketer Ajit Wadekar, at his residence in Mumbai on August 17, 2018. Sachin Tendulkar paid an emotional tribute to Ajit Wadekar after the former Indian captain's demise, he wrote, 'Wadekar sir had multiple roles, but he was also our good friend, It took some time to know him [Ajit Wadekar] well. We were not so close on the 1992-93 tour of South Africa where he would tell me what had to be done. But after that, we slowly started enjoying his company.' Pic/Atul Kamble.")
![Sachin Tendulkar, who was coached by Ajit Wadekar, while playing for India in the 1990s, paid a tribute to the former captain. Sachin wrote remembering how Wadekar helped his elevation to an opener, 'I always had this feeling that I can go after the bowling up front. I told Wadekar sir that I can do it and if I failed, I wouldn't come to him with this again. He said let's meet [captain] Azhar and he was convinced too,' recalled Tendulkar (In pic: Sachin Tendulkar and Sameer Dighe during the funeral of former cricketer Ajit Wadekar, at his residence in Mumbai on August 17, 2018.) Pic/Atul Kamble.](https://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2021/dec/Ajit-Wadekar-Funeral-f_l_d.jpg "Sachin Tendulkar, who was coached by Ajit Wadekar, while playing for India in the 1990s, paid a tribute to the former captain. Sachin wrote remembering how Wadekar helped his elevation to an opener, 'I always had this feeling that I can go after the bowling up front. I told Wadekar sir that I can do it and if I failed, I wouldn't come to him with this again. He said let's meet [captain] Azhar and he was convinced too,' recalled Tendulkar (In pic: Sachin Tendulkar and Sameer Dighe during the funeral of former cricketer Ajit Wadekar, at his residence in Mumbai on August 17, 2018.) Pic/Atul Kamble.")
