नई दिल्ली. कहते हैं इंसान की असली परख उसकी काबिलियत से होती है. 1966 में क्रिकेट जगत में कदम रखने वाले अजीत वाडेकर ने अपनी काबिलियत का लोहा उसी साल मनवा दिया था जिस साल उन्होंने अपनी कप्तानी में टीम इंडिया को इंग्लैंड में पहली टेस्ट सीरीज जीत से दो-चार कराया था. और, सिर्फ इंग्लैंड ही क्यों वेस्टइंडीज में भी टेस्ट सीरीज जिताया था. वाडेकर ने ये करिश्मा साल 1971 में किया. अजीत वाडेकर ने 1966 से 1974 तक भारत के लिए क्रिकेट खेला. वो किस कैलिबर के क्रिकेटर थे इसका अंदाजा इसी से लगाया जा सकता है कि जब 77 साल की उम्र में उन्होंने दुनिया को अलविदा कहा तो उनके निधन पर वर्ल्ड क्रिकेट के साथ साथ भारत के राष्ट्रपति और प्रधानमंत्री ने भी शोक जताया है.
अजीत वाडेकर बाएं हाथ के आक्रामक बल्लेबाज थे. अपने टेस्ट करियर के 37 मैचों में उन्होंने 31.07 की औसत से 2113 रन बनाए थे. भारतीय क्रिकेट के लिए एक क्रिकेटर और कप्तान की भूमिका के अलावा उन्होंने कोच, मैनेजर, और चीफ सलेक्टर का भी किरदार निभाया है.
#AjitWadekar sir .. such an iconic person..deeply saddened by his demise!! Sir was a father figure for me.. May his soul rest in peace! My Heartfelt Condolences to the family..@BCCI pic.twitter.com/xLMb2i82B2
— Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) August 15, 2018
V sad news-Ajit Wadekar passing away-only Indn Capt to win 3 series in a row-2 away 1 at home-ALW was good contemporary-we had differences o opinion but always respected glory o Crkt-fine batsman & great close in catch-served Indn Crkt w/aplomb as player/Selectr/Coach-RIP Jeetu!
— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) August 15, 2018
Extremely saddened by the news that former Indian cricket captain #AjitWadekar is no more. He led India to many historic victories! My condolences to the friends & family! RIP Sir, you will always be missed!
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) August 15, 2018
Oh, I will dearly miss him 😔
This pic taken in that same match. I was very fond of him and I guess he didn’t mind me too much either.#RIPWadekar pic.twitter.com/lvFbcA3gx2— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) August 15, 2018
Ajit Wadekar’s impact on Indian cricket is immense. His contemporaries worshipped him, such was his aura. Found him to be a tough character as coach. Exceptional Indian cricketer… RIP Sir.🙏
Recorded this on my iPhone last Dec from Point in a friendly fixture. So glad I did. pic.twitter.com/XbdFGn4Izp— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) August 15, 2018
Sad moment for Indian cricket to lose one of its most successful captains. Shrewd to the core. Condolences to the entire family #TeamIndia #RIPAjitWadekar pic.twitter.com/0xC0fv3Ark
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) August 15, 2018
With a heavy heart we bid adieu to Ajit Wadekar. The former India captain is no more. Cricketer, Coach, Manager and Chairman of Selectors – Mr Wadekar served Indian cricket in many different ways. pic.twitter.com/6zdFtleXB9
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 15, 2018
Much-loved former India captain Ajit Wadekar, who led India to their first overseas Test series victories, has passed away aged 77.
READ ⬇️https://t.co/2gfjCYnn9c pic.twitter.com/ogWsucUbU9
— ICC (@ICC) August 15, 2018
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2018
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 #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 15, 2018