Published: Jan 02, 2019, 06:56 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 02, 2019, 06:56 PM (IST)
Ramakant Achrekar, the legendary cricket coach, who shaped up Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar‘s illustrious career which spanned over a period of 24 years (1989-2013), passed away peacefully in Mumbai on Wednesday. He was 87.
Achrekar has coached several cricketers — from the 1983 World Cup squad member Balwinder Singh Sandhu to batting legend Tendulkar, who have represented India at the international level.
“He (Archrekar sir) is no more with us. He passed away this evening,” his kin Rashmi Dalvi told PTI over the phone on Wednesday.
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Tendulkar was coached by Achrekar at the Shivaji Park. “Sir did not say well-played to me ever, (but) I knew (when) Sir has taken me to have bhelpuri or paani-puri, Sir is happy, I have done something nice on the field,” Tendulkar had said last year at an event while recalling Achrekar’s contribution in making him the cricketer he became.
Achrekar, who has played just one first-class match in his playing career, was bestowed the Padmashri award in 2010. He was conferred with the Dronacharya award for his services to cricket coaching in 1990. He is also known for shaping up prominent players like Pravin Amre and Sameer Dighe.
