Ajit Wadekar was a good player and a great person, says Sobers

Ajit Wadekar with Sir Garry Sobers at Worli in 2010. Pic/mid-day archives

West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers was shocked to hear about the death of former India skipper Ajit Wadekar, who passed away yesterday night after a prolonged illness. Wadekar breathed his last at Jaslok Hospital, Peddar Road yesterday, his nephew Nitish confirmed. He was 77.

"He was a very nice man and I knew his family well. When I came to India a couple of years ago, I met him. He was not only a good player, but a good human being as well," Sobers told mid-day over the phone yesterday.

Sobers recalled an incident when he cut a birthday cake for Wadekar before a Test match in Barbados. It was April 1, 1971 when Wadekar-led Indian team were on the field for the opening day's play of the fourth Test in that historic series.

"Yes, I do remember. It happened long time ago. He was a very good man. I am really sorry to hear about his death. Kindly convey my deepest condolences to his family," Sobers added. Wadekar followed up that win in the Caribbean with a series triumph over Ray Illingworth's men in England. Later, in 1972-73 which was the next series India played, he led India to victory against Tony Lewis' England side for a hat-trick of wins.

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