Mumbai, Dec 3: Legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday referred to his esteemed childhood coach Ramakant Achrekar as an “all-rounder” and a pioneer in cricket education, emphasizing that his coaching extended well beyond the playing field.
Tendulkar made these remarks while unveiling the memorial of the iconic coach Achrekar at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
The event was also attended by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.
Reflecting on his time under Achrekar’s guidance, Tendulkar noted that players taught by him were always calm during matches, owing to the solid mental fortitude instilled by their coach.
“Ajit (Tendulkar’s elder brother) often observed that those who weren’t sir’s students seemed anxious during games. He often wondered why sir’s students never felt such pressure.
“Eventually, he understood that sir organized numerous practice matches, which built our temperament. I was no exception,” Tendulkar shared in Marathi.
“Cricket was always present in sir’s life. He would request us to bring nets. Jeetu’s father provided a room for the club’s equipment, and I frequently used it to play.
“He taught us the importance of preparation—we used to roll the pitch, sprinkle water, set up nets, and practice diligently. The relationship we formed and the understanding we gained—being a street-smart player involves grasping these nuances, like how water affects the wicket; that’s how we absorbed that knowledge during practice.”
The memorial, situated near Gate No 5, received approval from the Maharashtra government in August of this year.
Reminiscing about Achrekar’s coaching philosophy, Tendulkar remarked, “In the 1970s and 80s, sir used to conduct level 1, 2, 3, and 4 coaching. He had a visionary approach to training players and instilled respect for their equipment. I always remind players that they are on the field because of their bats; they must respect it.
“Remember your cricket kit, don’t mishandle it, and keep it in its designated place. Don’t vent your frustrations on your gear. My presence here is due to my equipment. I will continue to pass on sir’s teachings to future generations; that is our aim.
“He communicated a lot through his expressions. We learned to read his body language. He never told me, ‘well played.’
“He would occasionally hand me money after a match to buy a vada pav, which was his way of showing approval—there was always an air of affection.
“We often visited his home, where he and his wife welcomed us warmly. Our favorite dish was mutton curry with pav, served by Vishakha.”
Achrekar, who coached numerous Indian cricketers, passed away in January 2019.
In 1990, he received the prestigious Dronacharya Award, followed by the Padma Shri in 2010.
Tendulkar added, “Sir used to instruct us to practice rolling and batting. He would challenge us to survive on the center wicket for ten minutes, warning that if anyone caught the ball, I would be out. When I felt tired, he’d tell me to complete two more laps, encouraging me to wear my gear and finish those laps.
“While strict, he praised me whenever I excelled.”
For someone who devoted his life to nurturing aspiring cricketers, the memorial will inspire future generations.
“Sir was like a Swiss army knife; he had everything—a glue, sandpaper, a first-aid kit. After matches, he would say, ‘Let’s go through a demonstration.’ He wrote in code to indicate what went wrong during the game. Once, while at bat, a friend flew a kite and he noted our performance.
“Sir was like a general store, always having what we needed, and was incredibly caring. He knew how to manage situations even when we needed medical attention. He truly was an all-rounder,” Tendulkar concluded. (PTI)
