Sachin Tendulkar Reacts to Childhood Coach Ramakant Achrekar’s Demise, Says Cricket in Heaven Will be Enriched With His Presence

Tendulkar has always maintained that Achrekar played a major role in building his career which spanned for 24 years. Achrekar sir was honoured with the Dronacharya Award in 1990 and the Padma Shri award in 2010.

The bond between ‘God of Cricket’ – Sachin Tendulkar and his childhood coach Ramakant Achrekar is well-documented and has been spoken in detail about in the past. Cricket fans around the world understand the love and respect ‘Master Blaster’ has always paid to his childhood coach and guru – Ramakant Achrekar. On Wednesday, the 86-year old Achrekar sir took his last breath in Mumbai. ‘Achrekar Sir’ as he is fondly known, was the man who shaped the career of not only Tendulkar but of also some of the renowned names in the cricket world. Vinod Kambli, Pravin Amre, Sameer Dighe, and Balwinder Singh Sandhu are some of the other Indian cricket stalwarts who learned the nitty-gritty’s under the tutelage of Achrekar sir.

“Cricket in heaven will be enriched with the presence of (Ramakant) Achrekar sir,” said Tendulkar with a heavy heart.

“Like many of his students, I learnt my ABCD of cricket under Sir’s guidance. His contribution to my life cannot be captured in words. He built the foundation that I stand on,” he said in a statement. The iconic cricketer, who is now retired, has been quite vocal about the coach’s contribution in shaping him. As a player, Achrekar competed in just one first-class match but was instrumental in moulding Tendulkar as a child, often driving him to stadiums on his scooter.

“Last month, I met Sir along with some of his students and spent some time together. We shared a laugh as we remembered the old times. 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,” Tendulkar signed off.

My heartfelt condolences on the passing away of #RamakantAchrekar Sir , who was instrumental in giving a jewel to Indian cricket. pic.twitter.com/qUZzG5Guf9

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 2, 2019

The BCCI expresses its deepest sympathy on the passing of Dronacharya award-winning guru Shri Ramakant 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. pic.twitter.com/mK0nQODo6b

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 2, 2019

Condolences to his family and loved ones on the passing away of #RamakantAchrekar sir, who shaped and gave us a gift called Sachin Tendulkar ! pic.twitter.com/S7LIhNV4rh

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 2, 2019

My heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr Ramakant Achrekar, to Sachin, and to all those close to him. We will always remember him with great fondness and respect for his contribution to Indian cricket.
May his soul rest in peace.
a.

— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) January 2, 2019

Sad to hear about Ramakant Achrekar Sir’s passing away. May his soul RIP. Cricketing World will always remember you for your contribution. pic.twitter.com/asLgWFhpvA

— Wriddhiman Saha (@Wriddhipops) January 2, 2019

The who’s who of cricket fraternity also paid tributes to sir Ramakant Achrekar after his death on Wednesday.