Ajit Wadekar, born on 1st April 1941, in Mumbai, of India, was a dauntleess left-hand batsman. He had featured in the Indian team as well as in the domestic first-class cricket for the Mumbai cricket squad.

It was the deep desire of his father to make him pursue the subject mathematics, so that later on he could establish himself as an engineer. But his budding cricketer son, was far more inclined towards cricket.

This cricketaholic made first-class debut for Mumbai in 1958-9. His phenomenal entrance in Test cricket , occurred in December 1966, against the West Indian cricket team at his home ground, the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Very soon, he could make his way to the prestigious Indian team. Since 1966, to 1974, he had taken part in 37 Test matches for India. He had usually been a front order batsman, batting at number 3. One of the notable among the number 3 batsmen, in the history of Indian cricket, Ajit Wadekar, was also one of the dexterous slip fielders, that India ever got.

Ajit rose to the prominence of the captain of the Mumbai cricket battalion, and also, a rank higher, as the Indian captain in 1971. The team, he captained, consisted of stalwarts like , Sunil Gavaskar, M. L. Jaisimha, Gundappa Viswanath, Abid Ali, Farokh Engineer, and the renowned Indian spin quartet , composed of Bishen Bedi, E.A.S. Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan. He luxuriated in crowning glory, when he emerged as the first Indian captain to attain series-win during the expedition to the West Indies and England in 1971. The series results, were 1-0 . The Indian Team, quelled the rival West Indies in more than 5 matches in early 1971,. The conquering trend persisted. England was distinctively crushed by the valiant Indian cricketers, led by Ajit Wadekar in 3 matches, the same year. History repeated itself. Again, in 1972-73, India under the guidance of the veteran Wadekar, savoured a third successive series victory, over England cricket team. The outcome was 2-1 in this 5-match series .

However, prosperity bade a farewell to this genius captain. In 1974, when the Indian team, was relaxing on the high pedestals of fame and climax of perfection, it declined into defeat in ali the 5 matches of the infamous "Summer of 42" , during the England tour. This was followed with an unfortunate sequel of Mumbai losing to Irani Trophy, Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, in 1973-74 . Ajit Wadekar, who had to take the onus of the downfall on his shoulders, retired from capatainship, and also from first-class cricket Afterwards, Ajit Wadekar, reappeared into the limelight, being selected as the manager of the Indian Cricket team in the 1990s, led by the famous captain Mohammad Azharuddin.

Ajit Wadekar has served the Indian Cricket, in almost all possible aspects. He had been assigned as a Test cricketer , captain, coach/manager and Chairman of Selectors. He is at par with the eminent Lala Amarnath and Chandu Borde, who equal him in this respect.

Ajit Wadekar, the versatile cricket faculty of India , has given the nation, many precious services, that create a legacy by themselves.