Ajit Wadekar was a good player and a great person, says Sobers
Updated On: 16 August, 2018 04:00 PM IST | Bipin Dani
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
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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