Lifetime Achievement Award for Ajit Wadekar

Mumbai, Nov 22 (IBNS) Ajit Wadekar, former India captain, will be the recipient of the BCCI's Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.

Born on 1 April 1941, Wadekar made his first-class debut for Mumbai in the late fifties. He had his Test baptism against Garry Sobers' West Indies in the 1966-67 season, and established himself in the national side, with an innings of 67 in the third Test of the series at Chennai.

The following year, Wadekar was a member of Tiger Pataudi's team that beat New Zealand 3-1, and in the process, registered India's first-ever Test series win overseas.

Wadekar's appointment as captain of India in early 1971 was a turning point in the history of Indian cricket. He led India to consecutive series wins against the formidable West Indies and England on their own grounds, in the months that followed. This was an unprecedented achievement, for never before had India won a Test, leave alone a series, in the Caribbean and England.

He retired from international and first-class cricket in 1974. He was Cricket Manager of the Indian team from 1992-93 to 1995-96, and Chairman of the All-India Senior Selection Committee in 1998-99.

Wadekar represented India in 37 Tests, and scored 2113 runs. He scored 15,380 runs from 237 first-class matches, and led Mumbai to Ranji Trophy triumphs in 1968-69, 1969-70, 1971-72 and 1972-73.

Wadekar will receive the C.K. Nayudu Award at the annual BCCI Awards Ceremony, which will be held in Chennai on 10 December 2011. The award will comprise a trophy, citation and cheque for Rs. 15 lakhs.