Sachin’s coach Achrekar passes away

Mumbai, January 2 

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Veteran cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar, who trained Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli, among others, passed away following a heart attack here on Wednesday. He was 87 and breathed his last at his home in Dadar at around 5pm. Achrekar, honoured with Padma Shri in 2010 and Dronacharya Award in 1990, was instrumental in shaping the careers of Tendulkar, Kambli and over a dozen other top cricket stars.

“BCCI expresses deepest sympathy on the passing of Achrekar. Not only did he produce great cricketers but also trained them to be fine human beings. His contribution to Indian cricket has been immense,” BCCI said in its condolence message.

Born in 1932, Achrekar started playing cricket at the age of 11. In two years, he was playing club cricket with New Hind Sports Club, Mumbai. Subsequently, he played for Young Maharashtra XI, Mumbai Port Trust, and, in 1963, led a first class match between SBI and Hyderabad in the Moin-ud-Dowlah tournament. Later, he launched his cricket academy, the Kamath Memorial Cricket Club (KMCC) at Shivaji Park, considered the nursery of Indian cricket. It was here he coached and produced some of the biggest names in Indian cricket, such as Tendulkar, Kambli, Ajit Agarkar, Pravin Amre, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, Sameer Dighe, Chandrakant Pandit and many more.

Last year, on Guru Poornima Day, Tendulkar visited his guru and sought his blessings. “Achrekar sir, all this is possible because of you. Without your guidance, I would not have achieved such great heights,” Tendulkar told his first coach. 

He also paid rich tributes to Achrekar in his farewell speech in 2013 and his guru’s contribution was duly highlighted in the biopic Sachin: A Million Dreams. — IANS

Well played: Sachin

New Delhi: “Cricket in heaven will be enriched with the presence of Achrekar sir,” said Sachin Tendulkar as he paid an emotional tribute to his childhood coach. “Like many of his students, I learnt my ABCD of cricket under sir’s guidance,” said the Dronacharya awardee’s most famous ward. “His contribution to my life cannot be captured in words. He built the foundation that I stand on,” he added. 

“Achrekar sir taught us the virtues of playing straight and living straight. Thank you for making us a part of your life and enriching us with your coaching manual. Well played sir and may you coach more wherever you are,” he signed off. — PTI

Reactions

My heartfelt condolences on the passing away of #RamakantAchrekar Sir , who was instrumental in giving a jewel to Indian cricket. VVS Laxman

Sad to know that Ramakant Achrekar sir is no more. My homage to the great soul and condolences to the family. RP Singh

BCCI expresses deepest sympathy on the passing of Achrekar. Not only did he produce great cricketers but also trained them to be fine human beings. His contribution to Indian cricket has been immense. BCCI