In an unfortunate development, India’s former cricketer and chairman of selectors, Ajit Wadekar, has passed away at the age of 77, on Wednesday. Also, Wadekar had also captained the Indian cricket team during his prime days. The legendary cricketer was born in Bombay on April 1, 1941, and breathe his last at Mumbai's Jaslok Hospital.

Wadekar was regarded as an aggressive batsman during his playing days. The left-handed batsman had made his first-class debut in 1958, but only got chance to play for the national team in 1966.

Ajit Wadekar played a total of 37 Test matches in his career in which he scored 2,113 runs. He scored a century and 14 half-centuries in his short-yet-glittery career. Talking about One Day Internationals (ODIs), he played only 2 matches in which he scored 73 runs.

Wadekar, one of the finest left-handed batsmen in Indian cricket, was a stupendous slip fielder too. Under his captaincy, the Indian team experienced historic wins in England and West Indies. Wadekar has also been a chief selector of the Indian cricket team in the past.

For his contribution in the field of sports, the Government of India had honoured him with Arjuna Award in 1967, and Padmashri Award (country’s fourth highest civilian honour) in 1972. Wadekar was also the recipient of CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, Sportsperson of the Year Award, and also the Castrol Lifetime Achievement Award.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2018 11:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).