New Delhi: Ramakanth Achrekar, who trained the legendary Indian batsman, Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar and his friend Vinod Kambli, among others, died on Wednesday, January 2, in Mumbai following a heart attack. He was 87. He died due to age-related ailments at his home.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, condoled the death of veteran cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar and said his demise is as a “big loss” to the sporting world.
“Ramakant Achrekarji was a shining beacon of the Guru Parampara. An outstanding mentor, he groomed cricketing talents for years and the gems he trained went on to bring immense glory to the nation. His passing away is a big loss to the sporting world. My condolences,” the Prime Minister said in a tweet.
Dronacharya awardee cricket coach Achrekar competed in just one first-class match in his playing career. He is credited for discovering and shaping the biggest batsman in international cricket, Sachin Tendulkar after Sir Donald Bradman.
Achrekar has always been acknowledged by Tendulkar for the role he played in shaping his career when he began playing cricket as a child.
“Cricket in heaven will be enriched with the presence of Achrekar sir. Like many of his students, I learnt my ABCD of cricket under Sir’s guidance,” Tendulkar said. “His contribution to my life cannot be captured in words. He built the foundation that I stand on. Last month, I met Sir along with some of his students and we 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.”
Achrekar, honoured with a Padma Shri in 2010 and Dronacharya Award in 1990, was instrumental in coaching Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, Pravin Amre, Sameer Dighe, Ramesh Powar, Chandrakant Pandit, Ajit Agarkar and Balwinder Singh Sandhu and other cricketers in the finer nuances of the game.
He was 87 and breathed his last at his home in Dadar around 5 PM.
