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Sachin Tendulkar in the presence of Vinod Kambli unveiled his childhood coach Ramakant Achrekar’s memorial at the iconic Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
Sachin Tendulkar meeting Vinod Kambli and unveiling Ramakant Achrekar’s memorial at the Shivaji Park in Mumbai (Photo: Viral Bhayani)
Sachin Tendulkar reunited with Vinod Kambli at the unveiling of his childhood coach Ramakant Achrekar‘s memorial at the iconic Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray was also present on the occasion.
Achrekar, who coached several Indian players, died in January 2019.
In 1990, Achrekar was honoured with the prestigious Dronacharya Award and was awarded the Padma Shri in 2010.
ALSO READ | Sachin Tendulkar Unveils Memorial And Memories Of His ‘Guru’ Ramakant Achrekar Sir At Shivaji Park
Recalling his days when he was under the tutelage of Achrekar, Tendulkar said players trained by him were never tensed during matches thanks to their solid temperament developed by the great coach.
“Ajit (Tendulkar’s elder brother) used to play, and in matches, his observation was, who were not sir’s students, they were tensed. He used to wonder sir’s students were never under pressure.
“Then he realised, sir had a lot of practice matches, and that temperament had been built. I was no exception,” Tendulkar spoke in Marathi.
“Cricket was always going on under sir. Sir used to ask us to bring nets. Jeetu’s father had given sir a room, for the club’s kit, he told me to use that, and I used to play.
“He taught us to value things, we used to do rolling, sprinkle water, put nets, and practice, he trained us. The bond and understanding, a street-smart player, is someone who understands all this, water given to wicket, that’s how our brain used to absorb that information while doing that.”
Recalling the Achrekar method, Tendulkar said, “Sir used to do level 1, 2, 3, 4 coaching in 1970s and 80s. He had a vision to teach players, and respect the kit. I still tell players, that you are on the field because of the bat, respect it.
“Please remember your cricket kit, don’t throw it, put it at a particular space, don’t take out your frustration on your cricket kit. I am sitting here because of my kit. I will always pass on sir’s messages to the future generation. We will try.
“Sir used to tell a lot with his eyes. We used to figure out by his body language. He didn’t tell me ‘well played’ ever.
“Sir didn’t take that chance ever, after a match, he sometimes used to give me money to take a vada pav, that’s how I figured, I must have done something well. There was always that kind of affection.
“We used to go to his home, were invited by him and his wife, and our favourite diet was mutton curry, pav, lemon and onion. Vishakha used to come and serve us.”
(With inputs from Agencies)
