New Delhi: Writing for PTI, Sunil Gavaskar shares the grief of losing Ajit Wadekar. He recalls the devastating news and the frantic final moments spent trying to get Wadekar to the hospital in a private car to save precious time while waiting for an ambulance. Gavaskar emphasizes that since Wadekar captained him during both his Mumbai Ranji Trophy debut and his entry into the Indian squad, he will forever hold that title of 'Captain' in Gavaskar's eyes.नई दिल्लीः सुनील गावस्कर ने पीटीआई के साथ विशेष इंतजाम के तहत यह कालम लिखा है- ‘सुनील, दुख की बात, वह नहीं रहे’। मुझे तोड़ देने वाले ये शब्द सुनने को मिले कि ‘मेरे कप्तान’ अजित वाडेकर का निधन हो गया। कुछ ही समय पहले मैं उन्हें कार में डालकर अस्पताल ले जाने में मदद करने का प्रयास कर रहा था क्योंकि एंबुलेंस को आने में 15 मिनट और लगने वाले थे और तब भी लग रहा था कि उनके बचने की उम्मीद काफी कम है। जब मैंने रणजी ट्राफी में मुंबई की ओर से पदार्पण किया तो अजित वाडेकर मेरे कप्तान थे और जब मुझे भारतीय टीम में खेलने का मौका मिला तो भी वह मेरे कप्तान थे। इसलिए मेरे लिए वह हमेशा ‘कप्तान’ रहेंगे।
Gavaskar describes how his childhood admiration for Wadekar transcended the fierce rivalry between their respective clubs, Shivaji Park Gymkhana and Dadar Union Sporting Club. Wadekar's dominance in domestic cricket was so absolute that he seemed to score a century every single weekend. This brilliance made it surprising to many that he didn't debut for India until 1966 against Gary Sobers' West Indies. However, by 1971, Wadekar was leading India against that same West Indies side, securing a historic series win. Shortly after, he guided the team to another landmark achievement: India's first-ever series victory on English soil.
Despite these triumphs, some critics dismissively called him a 'lucky captain,' unable to accept that he had succeeded the charismatic Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. Even Vijay Merchant, the selection committee chairman whose deciding vote appointed Wadekar, faced backlash. It is a tragedy of the time that neither Merchant nor Wadekar received the full credit they deserved for leading India to a string of historic victories.
Wadekar's exit from Test cricket was abrupt, triggered by a selection snub for the West Zone team in the Duleep Trophy by a committee led by Polly Umrigar. Following his retirement, he transitioned into a banking career and ventured into cricket administration with the Mumbai Cricket Association, eventually serving as a successful manager and coach for the Indian team in the early 90s. Gavaskar highlights Wadekar's grace and lack of bitterness, noting that when they collaborated on a residential project with the Maharashtra government, even Umrigar was part of the society, proving that past professional frictions had been forgotten.
Once their building was completed, Wadekar, as the promoter, took the top floor, while Gavaskar lived right below him. Wadekar used to joke, 'Only I am above Sunny.' Though their busy schedules made meetings rare in later years, their time together was always filled with laughter. Gavaskar admits he often mimics Wadekar's signature phrase, 'Are ka re,' a habit shared by Sachin Tendulkar. While his captain has passed away, Gavaskar feels that every time he utters those words, Wadekar is right there with him.