Ajit Wadekar, India's first ODI captain in 1974, made a lasting impact in Test cricket, leading the team to historic victories in England and West Indies in 1971. Despite playing only two ODIs, his legacy as a transformative leader and distinguished cricketer endures, earning him prestigious awards, including the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.

Ajit Wadekar is one of the best Captains that India has seen but in the Test Cricket format not so much the ODI format. Ajit Wadekar only played the 2 ODIs and he was the first ever captain for India in the series against England in 1974. He was not able to have a long ODI career but he was exceptional in Test Cricket. Ajit Wadekar was the captain under whom India won Test Series in England and West Indies in 1971 and this was a historic achievement which is talked about even today. All the members of those teams had immense respect for their captain.

Let’s talk about Ajit Wadekar who was the first ODI Captain for India

Ajit Wadekar leads India in ODIs for first time

ODI Cricket started in the year 1971 and it took India 3 years to play its first ODI Match which was against England. Ajit Wadekar was appointed the captain but he only played the 2 Matches for India. He scored 73 runs in the 2 Matches that he played for India at an average of 36.50. Ajit Wadekar started the legacy for India in ODIs and then it was up to the newer generation of players to take Indian ODI Cricket forward and Ajit Wadekar retired from International cricket. For him ODI Cricket was not that important as he retired after one poor series against England.

Ajit Wadekar played 37 Test Matches for India. He played Test Cricket from 1966-1974. For 8 Years he served Indian cricket with dignity and in the 37 Test Matches that he played in he made 2113 runs at an average of 31.07. He scored 1 Hundred and 14 half centuries In Test Cricket with a highest score of 143. Ajit Wadekar is most famously known as the captain who changed the direction of Test Cricket for India as he made India into a side which could go overseas and win series on a regular basis and not just one test match here and there. His Indian team beat the mighty West Indies and England in the same year in 1971. He had the pleasure of Watching Sunil Gavaskar in his early years and his addition mar the Indian team even stronger.

Ajit Wadekar retired from cricket in 1974 and it was a legendary career. He was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1967 and he was also awarded the Padma Shri in 1972. In the year 2011, he was awarded the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award which is the highest award for a former cricketer. Even though Ajit Wadekar only played 2 ODIs, he will always be a part of history as he was the first ever captain for India in this format in 1974. India lost to England In the 1974 series and after that Ajit Wadekar decided to retire from international cricket. He also played 237 First Class Matches in his career and he made 15,383 runs. He had a very good average of 47.03 with 36 hundreds and 84 half centuries to his name. He had a highest score of 323. He also took 271 Catches in his first class career.

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