Calcutta/Mumbai: Former India cricket captain Ajit Wadekar passed away on Wednesday after prolonged illness. He was 77 and is survived by his wife Rekha, two sons and a daughter.

Wadekar, who led India to their first overseas wins in England and the West Indies, breathed his last at the Jaslok Hospital in South Mumbai. He was brought to the hospital on Wednesday, where he was declared dead on arrival. "He had been critically unwell for sometime and was seeking treatment for the same," read the statement from Jaslok Hospital.

The aggressive left-handed batsman was a trailblazer in Indian cricket despite a mere 37 Test appearances, leading India to triumphs in England and the West Indies in 1971.

Wadekar scored 2,113 runs in his Test career, including one hundred, which came against New Zealand in Wellington in February 1968. He was also India's first ODI captain, although he appeared in just two matches.

Wadekar also served as India's manager in the 1990s during Mohammed Azharuddin's tenure as captain. During his tenure as manager, India reached the semi-finals of the 1996 World Cup.

He later went on to become the chairman of selectors as well. Wadekar is one of the few cricketers who have served as captain, manager, and selector in Indian cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) tweeted: "With a heavy heart we bid adieu to Ajit Wadekar. The former India captain is no more. Cricketer, Coach, Manager and Chairman of Selectors - Mr Wadekar served Indian cricket in many different ways."

Tributes poured in from former and current players as well. Bishan Singh Bedi tweeted: "V sad news-Ajit Wadekar passing away-only Indn Capt to win 3 series in a row-2 away 1 at home-ALW was good contemporary-we had differences o opinion but always respected glory o Crkt-fine batsman & great close in catch-served Indn Crkt w/aplomb as player/Selectr/Coach-RIP Jeetu!"

Another former India cricketer Madan Lal too paid his tribute. "Ajit Wadekar ji my captain a true inspiration for all of us, my heart felt condolences to his family. RIP Ajit bhai."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "Ajit Wadekar will be remembered for his rich contribution to Indian cricket. A great batsman & wonderful captain, he led our team to some of the most memorable victories in our cricketing history. He was also respected as an effective cricket administrator. Pained by his demise."

Apart from the century against New Zealand, Wadekar had also come close the three-figure mark when he scored a gutsy 99 against Australia at the MCG in 1967.

Wadekar, however, will always be remembered for leading India to memorable away wins, after he took over captaincy from Tiger Pataudi. In the summer of 1971, India won the Test played at Port of Spain to clinch the five-match series against the West Indies 1-0. A few months later, led by Wadekar, India clinched the three-match series in England with a win in the final Test at The Oval.

But if those were the highs of Wadekar's career, the lowest point was a 0-3 hammering in England in 1974. He had to step down following that disastrous performance.

Wadekar had made his Test debut against the Windies at the Brabourne stadium in December 1966 and was a fine slip fielder.

He ended his first-class career with 15,380 runs at 47.03 and also bagged 21 wickets with slow left-arm orthodox spin bowling.

The Government of India honoured him with the Arjuna Award in 1967 and Padmashri in 1972. He was also awarded the Col C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement by the BCCI.