State funeral for Ajit Wadekar, legendary cricketer

Sachin Tendulkar was among the many who paid their last respects to the cricketer, coach-manager and administrator.

Former India cricket captain Ajit Wadekar, who died on August 15, was cremated at the Shivaji Park crematorium in Mumbai on Friday, August 17, with full state honours.

Wadekar, who had led India to its first victory in the West Indies and England in 1971, died at the Jaslok hospital in South Mumbai after a prolonged illness.

Wadekar served Indian cricket in different capacities -- as manager, coach and a selector. A batsman par excellence, he was also the first to captain India in one-day internationals.

Wadekar's body was kept at his Worli, south central Mumbai, home on Friday morning for well-wishers to pay their last respects.

Cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, Sameer Dighe, former hockey captain M M Somaiya and past and present officials of the Mumbai Cricket Association paid their condolences.

BCCI General Manager (Cricket Operations) Saba Karim paid tributes on behalf of the cricket board.

Wadekar's body was then taken to the Shivaji Park Gymkhana in an open truck. At the Gymkhana, former India cricketers Sandeep Patil, Nilesh Kulkarni, domestic cricket stalwart Padmakar Shivalkar and others paid their last respects.

Jatin Paranjpe was present at the gymkhana while his father Vasu Paranjpe was there at the crematorium.

Wrapped in the Tricolour, Wadekar's body was later was taken to the crematorium.

In the presence of his family and well-wishers, Ajit Wadekar was bid a tearful adieu as the Mumbai police gave him a gun salute.