5 records prove that Ajit Agarkar is an absolute legend of Indian cricket

Ajit Agarkar represented India in 191 ODIs, 26 Tests, and four Twenty20 Internationals. He was most successful in the 50-over format and is India’s third-highest wicket-taker (288), trailing only Anil Kumble (334). (315). He was more than just a handy batsman, and he saved the Men in Blue on numerous occasions.

The first two names that come to mind when discussing pace bowling in India are Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Srinath led the Indian pace battery. When Srinath retired in 2003, Zaheer took over.

Agarkar has more ODI wickets than Zaheer despite playing three fewer matches than the Baroda pacer. Furthermore, Agarkar has a higher bowling average and strike rate than both Zaheer and Srinath.

When we think of all-rounders, we think of Irfan Pathan after Kapil Dev. Pathan has batted at No. 3 in 18 matches, while Agarkar has batted at No. 3 twice. He made 95 off 101 balls on one of those occasions, including 11 boundaries and two sixes. His knock contributed to India’s total of 283 for 6 in 50 overs against the West Indies. However, India was defeated by 4 wickets.

Here are 5 records that prove Ajit Agarkar’s status as an absolute legend of Indian cricket

# Fastest ODI fifty for India

From Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh to Suresh Raina, India has produced a multitude of attacking batsmen over the years. Agarkar, on the other hand, holds the record for the fastest fifty in ODIs for India.

On December 14, 2000, Agarkar made one of the best cameos against Zimbabwe in Rajkot. When Hemang Badani left the Indian innings in the 44th over with the score 216/6, the right-handed batsman walked out. He smashed bowlers all over the field to reach fifty in just 21 balls. Agarkar scored 67 off 25 balls to help India post a respectable total of 301/6 in 50 overs.

He was also effective with the ball, taking three wickets for 26 runs in 8.4 overs. He was named Man of the Match for his all-around performance.

# Fastest 50 ODI wickets for India

Agarkar holds the Indian record for the fastest ODI wicket-taker with 50. The second fastest is Jasprit Bumrah, who reached 50 wickets against New Zealand on October 29, 2017 in Kanpur. Bumrah took 28 games to reach the milestone, while Mohammed Shami is third with 29 games.

On April 1, 1998, Agarkar took his 50th ODI wicket against Zimbabwe in Harare. He accomplished the feat in 23 matches, a world record at the time. The Mumbai pacer held the record for over a decade until Ajanta Mendis broke it in 19 matches on January 12, 2009.

In terms of days, he still holds the world record, having reached the milestone in 182 days as opposed to Mendis’ 277.

# Fastest to score 1000 runs and take 200 wickets

Ajit Agarkar was an all-rounder for India in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In one-day internationals, he scored 1269 runs and took 288 wickets.

He holds the record for being the fastest player in ODI history to score 1000 runs and take 200 wickets. He broke the record set by South African legend Shaun Pollock, who took 138 matches, by completing the feat in 133 matches.

On December 26, 2004, the all-rounder set the record against Bangladesh in Dhaka. In that game, he took two wickets while allowing only 31 runs and scored nine points (15).

The Mumbaikar not only took a lot of wickets, but he also took them quickly. Agarkar had an Indian record strike rate of 32.9. (qualification: minimum 150 wickets). He is the only bowler in India’s top five wicket-takers with a strike rate less than 35.

However, many bowlers from other countries have higher strike rates than Agarkar. Ajantha Mendis leads the list with 152 wickets at a strike rate of 27.3. Mohammed Shami leads the current crop of Indian bowlers with a strike rate of 27.7, and Jasprit Bumrah is not far behind with a success rate of 28.

# A Century at Lord’s

Ajit Agarkar has a batting record that even Sachin Tendulkar does not have. He is one of eight Indian players to score a century at Lord’s in England. Vinoo Mankad, Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri, Gundappa Viswanath, Mohammed Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly, and Ajinkya Rahane are among the others.

In July 2002, India and England met at the iconic stadium, and England set a target of 568 for the visitors. Agarkar came in to bat when India was at 170/6. Before VVS Laxman (74) left at 296/7, he had a 126-run partnership with him.

Agarkar was not about to give up without a fight. He added 101 runs to India’s total with the help of tailenders. In the end, he ran out of partners, and India were all out for 397, giving England a 170-run victory.

Agarkar finished unbeaten on 109 off 190 balls, with 16 fours. India lost the match, but Agarkar won the hearts of a million people.

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