Remembering Wadekar: Friends & Family Share Memories of Cricketer

From Vinod Kambli to Madhav Apte, many of his former teammates paid a rich tribute to the late skipper.

Cricketers pay tribute to the late Indian Skipper

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Video Producer: Sonal Gupta

Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma

From Madhav Apte to Vinod Kambli, a host of cricketers paid their tribute to former India skipper Ajit Wadekar and recalled his contribution to the game, at the condolence meet organised by the BCCI in Mumbai on 29 August.

Wadekar, who passed away at the age of 77 on 15 August, had led India to their first Test series win in both West Indies and England in 1971.

He was a terrific player. He was a very aggressive batsman. When I read his records I was surprised that his average is not as high as it should be. But he was a great motivator for all the youngsters, Sachin and all these guys. 

Farokh Engineer, Former Cricketer

It wasn’t just the cricketers. Wadekar’s wife Rekha Wadekar, son Prasad Wadekar and brother Ashok Wadekar were present at the event too and paid their tribute as they talked about his life outside the cricket field.

52 years we had been together. I feel the emptiness today. There is nothing to look forward to in life now. Whenever he would go for cricket tour she was of the opinion that even his family should go along. They would also get to enjoy and visit places. 

Rekha Wadekar, Wife 

We had some great vacations together. And he ensured that we all sat for dinner together.

Prasad Wadekar, Son 

Ashok Wadekar talked about how his brother would balance his professional and personal life.

He once made 322 runs while our father was hospitalised. After playing cricket he would come to the hospital and stay the entire night with our father. 

Ashok Wadekar, Brother  

Video messages by other legendary cricketers such as Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Sanjay Manjrekar, former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin and others were played, where they remembered the former captain.

(With inputs from PTI)