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

Ajit Agarkar represented India in 191 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), 26 Tests, and four Twenty20 Internationals. He was most successful in the 50-over format, and he is India’s third-highest wicket-taker (288), following only Anil Kumble (334) and Virat Kohli (334). (315). He was more than simply a competent batsman, and he came to the aid of the Men in Blue on multiple occasions.

While contemplating fast bowling in India, the first two names that come to mind are Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan. Srinath commanded the Indian pace batteries in the 1990s and early 2000s. Zaheer took over when Srinath resigned in 2003.

Despite playing three less matches than Zaheer, Agarkar has more ODI wickets than the Baroda bowler. Agarkar also has a greater bowling average and strike rate than Zaheer and Srinath.

After Kapil Dev, we think of Irfan Pathan when we think about all-rounders. Pathan has batted at number three in 18 matches, while Agarkar has batted at number three twice. On one of those instances, he hit 95 from 101 balls, including 11 boundaries and two sixes. His innings helped India reach 283 for 6 in 50 overs against the West Indies. India, on the other hand, was trounced by four wickets.

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

# Fastest ODI fifty for India

India has developed a plethora of aggressive batsmen throughout the years, from Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh to Suresh Raina. Agarkar, on the other side, retains the ODI record for the quickest fifty.

Agarkar produced one of the finest cameos against Zimbabwe in Rajkot on December 14, 2000. The right-handed batsman walked out of the Indian innings in the 44th over with the score 216/6. He hammered bowlers all over the field to reach the fifty-ball mark in just 21 balls. Agarkar hit 67 off 25 balls to help India to a solid 301/6 in 50 overs.

He also bowled well, collecting 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

With 50 ODI wickets, Agarkar retains the Indian record for the quickest ODI wicket-taker. Jasprit Bumrah is the second quickest, with 50 wickets against New Zealand on October 29, 2017 at Kanpur. Bumrah took 28 games to achieve the mark, with Mohammad Shami coming in third with 29 games.

Agarkar recorded his 50th ODI wicket against Zimbabwe in Harare on April 1, 1998. He did it in 23 bouts, which was a world record at the time. The Mumbai pacer maintained the record for nearly a decade until Ajanta Mendis smashed it on January 12, 2009, in 19 matches.

He still maintains the global record in terms of days, having reached the milestone in 182 days as compared to Mendis’ 277.

# Fastest to score 1000 runs and take 200 wickets

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

He is the only player in ODI history to score 1000 runs and take 200 wickets in the same season. He beat South African superstar Shaun Pollock’s record of 138 matches by achieving the feat in 133 matches.

On December 26, 2004, the all-rounder broke the record in Dhaka against Bangladesh. He grabbed two wickets while conceding only 31 runs and scored nine points in the game (15).

The Mumbaikar not only got several wickets, but he did so rapidly. Agarkar set an Indian record with a strike rate of 32.9 percent. (Minimum of 150 wickets required for qualifying). He is the only bowler with a strike rate less than 35 in India’s top five wicket-takers.

Several bowlers from other nations, though, have greater strike rates than Agarkar. Ajantha Mendis has the most wickets (152 at a strike rate of 27.3). With a strike rate of 27.7, Mohammad Shami tops the current generation of Indian bowlers, while Jasprit Bumrah is not far behind with a success rate of 28.

# A Century at Lord’s

Even Sachin Tendulkar does not have Ajit Agarkar’s batting record. He is one of just eight Indians to have scored a century at Lord’s in England. Among the others are Vinoo Mankad, Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri, Gundappa Viswanath, Mohammed Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly, and Ajinkya Rahane.

In July 2002, India and England clashed in the historic stadium, and England set a visitor goal of 568. Agarkar entered the batting order with India at 170/6. He shared a 126-run partnership with VVS Laxman (74) before he exited at 296/7.

Agarkar was not going down without a fight. With the support of tailenders, he contributed 101 runs to India’s total. He eventually ran out of partners, and India were bowled out for 397, giving England a 170-run win.

Agarkar concluded with an undefeated 109 off 190 balls and 16 fours. India lost the match, but Agarkar won over a million hearts.

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