Ajit Wadekar is not just another Indian cricketer, he is the first skipper who taught India to dream of winning, especially overseas. It was under his leadership that India won their first Test series in West Indies (India had not even beaten them at home before that) in his first series as skipper. He followed that with an even bigger milestone, beating England, in England for the first time. He achieved this in the same season. He followed this with another triumph, against England at home before an embarrassing defeat in England ended his career. Chirag Jain goes back in time with Ajit Wadekar.
Tell us some vivid memories of your initial days in your career?
I’d like to recall my second match against a very strong Dadar Union. Vijay Manjrekar had picked me up. I was a little frightened. He told me, “This is your chance to prove yourself. If you want to climb the ladder, this is your best chance, since Dadar Union are the strongest team.” I batted at no. 3 after Sudhakar Adhikari fell. Luckily, the first ball I faced was a full toss and I got a boundary post cover. That gave me confidence. Since then, I used to play confidently against any bowler. it all started with a bus trip where I was travelling along with Baloo Gupte my senior at college, who asked me whether I wanted to be twelth man for a match for 3 rupees, I agreed. There was no looking back after that.
How did you manage to score at this rate ?
In Bombay we used to play lot of limited overs cricket, like Kanga League and Purshottan shield. In Kanga League due to rain interruptions, we had to make runs quickly, it was not tough to score quickly in one day matches. Once the habit developed, scoring quickly was not difficult anymore.
Your only Test ton came during the third test between India versus New Zealand at Wellington. You scored brilliant 143, which guided India to victory. Can you tell us something about this match?
I don’t consider this ton as good, as some of my domestic tons. Our team was not good enough and the wicket was wet. My knock was not as attractive as some of my innings I played in domestic tons. However, I had decided that I have to stay at the crease, which was why I managed to get that ton. The wicket was bad and our bowlers did the job in the end.
It is a well known fact that Vijay Merchant’s casting vote resulted in your appointment as skipper for the tour of West Indies, How did you get this news ?
I had no clue about the goings on. I was out to buy curtains and there was no way I could be contacted in those days before mobile phones. I came back to fine a huge crowd outside my house. At that time, I had shifted to a new house in the same Sportsfield. I was not aware of the news. I knew the fight was between the Nawab of Pataudi and Chandu Borde. I had called them to ensure my place in the team. He was both astonished and happy when they told me the news.
Any uncommon incident of the historic 1971 West Indies tour?
In the first Jamaica test after India’s score of. 75 for 5, plenty of time was wasted due to rain, and the test was reduced to a four-day game. Then Dilip Sardesai scored 212 and took India to 387. West Indies were bowled out for 217. Then something unexpected happened. I asked Gary Sobers to follow on. I said “You are batting”. He replied, “What are you talking, Ajit.?” I said, “You can see the rule book and consult with umpires. For a 4 day match, a side needs a 150 run lead to enforce follow-on, not 200. Then he realised and was shocked.
Can you tell us something about sledging that was happening in the game?
Eknath Solkar was the biggest sledger in the team, During my tenure, I told my players that if you do not know words in English to sledge them, then use your mother tongue, in Marathi or whatever language you are comfortable with. And anyway, they will not understand what you say. Also, the opponent players understood after sometime by the body language and expression of Solkar. The most important thing is that we must vent it out. There was no way we would listen to whatever they said to us.
You have a fear of taking injections. Is it true?
Yes, I was always scared of injection, I have many doctor friends like doctor Samshir and doctor Mukund Joshi ( Jaslok Hospital), but they are only my friends. I don’t visit them for treatment. I used to request them to not administer injection, I preferred medicines instead. Ironically, my father had always wanted me to become a doctor. i pursued an engineering course instead at VJTI after my intermediate with Science at Elphistone college.
You are currently President of ‘The Association for Physically Challenged Cricketers of India’ and taking tremendous interest in developing Divyang cricket. Comment.
We all need to inspire and motivate divyang people. They want opportunities and I always give my best efforts to provide a platform for them. Everybody must take a pledge of donate their eyes.
Sunil Gavaskar made his Test debut under your captaincy in 1971 Tour of West Indies and scored a mammoth 774 runs at an average of 154.80, the most by any batsmen in Test debut series. On one occasion Gary Sobers touched Gavaskar’s shoulder before walking out to bat and played a magnificent inning. Thereafter, he made it a point to touch Gavaskar’s shoulder every time he walked out to bat.
How did you solve this?
Gary was very friendly with us. He and Rohan Kanhai used to come and meet us in our dressing room. I started observing that after greeting me, he used to greet Sunny and touch him by saying, “Yes Sunny, how are you young boy ?” And he invariably got runs. I thought this was not right. When Sobers visited us the next time, I had locked Sunny in the toilet. When Gary asked where Sunny was. I replied that he had not arrived yet from hotel. In the end, he got to know that I had locked Sunny up. He was very sporting.
Your birthday falls on 1st April which is known as April Fools Day. Did your teammates play any pranks on you on your birthday?
First of all, they did not believe that I was really born on that day. However, on many occasions, they played pranks. Bishan Singh Bedi once said that he would not bowl. I asked him why and he replied, “My hand is paining and the wicket is a bit skiddy”, Later I found out that they were trying to fool me on my birthday. Further, I gave bowling to EAS Prasanna or else there is Bhagwat Chandrasekhar. When I passed the ball to Prasanna, Bishan took the ball from me and started bowling just to prank me. Sunil Gavaskar was also a very good prankster. He used to call to inform me whether the bus has arrived or not. In order to prank me, he used to say, “The bus has not come yet, there is no need to hurry” and when I came down the bus had already left by then, but Sunil had already arranged a car for me and then I got to know that driver was already awaiting for me. During the tour, there used to be many such pranks and fun.
What is your word on ongoing series against South Africa?
India should play minimum one warm-up match before the first Test, our team is balanced of both experienced and young players. They have a very good opportunity of winning the test series.
