Ajit Agarkar celebrates his 43rd birthday on December 4 and he is regarded as an under-rated legend whose records have not been given their dues.
In another era and in another space, Ajit Agarkar would have been considered as one of the greatest bowler in international cricket. However, his time came in an era when bowlers revered economy rate and control rather than aggression. Every detractor of Ajit Agarkar pointed out to his high economy rate of over 5, but when it came to attack and leading the pace bowling, Ajit Agarkar was second to none. His brilliance in ODIs has seen him being in an elite list of bowlers with most wickets. He has achieved many things in his career, including a rare win in Australia. With the bat, Ajit Agarkar has been part of some sensational things.
For a long time, he held the record for the fastest fifty by an Indian in ODIs. In Test cricket, his feat at a particular venue has seen him overshadow legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara and Jacques Kallis. Ajit Agarkar has had several magnificent moments for India in his career and on the occasion of his 43rd birthday, we look at some of his greatest moments as well as his most surprising moments. It is a tribute to an under-rated legend whose feats have still not gotten their dues.
1. Happy Birthday Ajit Agarkar
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Ajit Agarkar had a rapid beginning to his international career. Having tasted first-class cricket a couple of years earlier, Agarkar made his ODI debut in 1998, in a tri-angular series against Australia. He made an impact straightaway and became the highest wicket-taker in the competition. He continued to impress and took 22 wickets in his next 8 ODIs. He was also part of India's campaign at the 1999 World Cup, although he did not play all the match as his form dipped. (Image credit: Twitter)
2. Happy Birthday Ajit Agarkar
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Sachin Tendulkar failed. Brian Lara failed. jacques Kallis failed and so did Ricky Ponting. Several greats failed in their quest to achieve a Test century at Lord's, considered the mecca of cricket. However, Ajit Agarkar put all these legends in the shade in 2002 when he hit a stunning 109 at the venue. The delight on his face was evident that Ajit Agarkar could finally boast about the one aspect where he was better than Tendulkar. (Image credit: Twitter)
3. Happy Birthday Ajit Agarkar
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Ajit Agarkar had undergone a period in Tests against Australia where he was dismissed for seven consecutive ducks. His bowling form against the Aussies, who were at the peak of their powers at the start of the new millennium, was also patchy. However, all that changed in Adelaide in 2003. A double century from Rahul Dravid and a 303-run stand with VVS Laxman was not enough as Australia managed to take a 33-run lead. However, bowling with venom and using the pitch conditions to great effect, Ajit Agarkar took 6/41 and helped India win their first Test in Australia after 22 years. In the shadow of Dravid's brilliant 233 and 72*, Ajit Agarkar's 6/41 is a crucial footnote in India breaking a two-decade long jinx in Australia. (Image credit: Twitter)
4. Happy Birthday Ajit Agarkar
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Ajit Agarkar's most notable performance with the ball in ODIs came against Australia at the MCG in 2004, when he bagged 6 wickets for 42 runs in a losing cause. He bagged his second and last fifer the next year, this time at Pune against Sri Lanka. Agarkar's best with the bat came against West Indies in 2002, when he made 95 to top score for India, after being promoted up the order to No. 3. He was also remembered for recording the fastest fifty by an Indian in ODI history, when he smashed a half-century off just 21 balls against Zimbabwe in 2000. (Image credit: Twitter)
5. Happy Birthday Ajit Agarkar
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Ajit Agarkar, who was part of India's successful World T20 campaign in 2007, was signed by the Kolkata Knight Riders for three IPL seasons since 2008, before he moved to Delhi Daredevils to spend three more years in the IPL. In 2013, Agarkar announced his retirement from all-forms of cricket. Post-retirement, Agarkar began a new career as a cricket analyst. Ajit Agarkar ended his career as the third highest wicket-taker for India in ODIs with 288 wickets at an average of 27 and he also became the fastest in terms of matches to complete a double of 200 wickets and 1000 runs. (Image credit: Twitter)
