IN REMEMBRANCE - INDIAN TEST CRICKETERS

🏏🏏 A. L. WADEKAR (1 Apr 1941 - 15 Aug 2018) Having played at a time when cricket used to still be the gentleman's game, Bombay southpaw Ajit Laxman Wadekar was one of India's most reliable one drop batsmen, endowed with one of the safest pair of hands in the slip positions... Beginning his first class career for Bombay in the 1958–59 season, Wadekar made his Test debut perhaps a bit late, against the West Indies at Brabourne Stadium in December 1966, and ODI debut in 1974 against England at Headingley... In an international career from 1966 to 1974 Wadekar played 37 Tests and 2 ODIs, captaining India from 1971 till he called it quits in 1974. He scored 2113 runs @31.07 with a topscore of 143, a hundred and 14 fifties and 46 catches... Making cricketing history by leading India to her sensational first-ever Test series win against Garry Sobers's mighty West Indies in 1971, followed by another big triumph over Ray Illingworth's England in

🏏🏏 R. D. PARKAR (31 Oct 1946 - 11 Aug 1999) A player who was perhaps not allowed to bloom to his full potential in Tests for want of opportunities which he fully deserved, diminutive right handed Ramnath Dhondu Parkar did yeoman service to Bombay as it's near perfect opener... Tutored by the illustrious Vinoo Mankad and later by Ramakant Achrekar, Parkar made his domestic debut for Vazir Sultan Tobacco Colts XI in the 1964-65 season, followed by the Bombay cap in the 1970-71 season... A trifle unfortunate to have represented India in just two Tests, in the home series against Tony Lewis's England in 1972, Parkar managed just 80 runs, 35 being his topscore... A captain's dream with an adaptability to bat and field at any position, Parkar standing at 5'3" was a quality willow-wielder and an outstanding fielder who served Bombay exemplarily when it's regular players were away... Having had all possible copybook shots in his repertoire to be co

🏏🏏 A. M. MANKAD (12 Oct 1946 – 1 Aug 2008) Ashok Mulvantrai Mankad, fondly known as Kaka, was the eldest son of the illustrious Vinoo Mankad. His siblings Atul and Rahul played first class cricket; his better half Nirupama and sons Mihir and Harsh were renowned tennis players of their times... There are several quarters who still consider Mankad, the victorious Bombay skipper of 1974-75 and 1975-76, as the greatest captain India had produced but never had, often in comparison with England's Mike Brearley... Primarily a right handed middle-order batsman, Mankad had held all positions from No.1 to No.8, and could turn his arm around with some medium stuff and off cutters as well. Making his way duly through the Harris Shield, Under-19 and Rohinton Baria tourneys, Mankad made his first class debut just a week before he turned 17... He made his Test debut, along with Chetan Chauhan and Ajit Pai, in September 1969 against Graham Do