The Man behind “God of Cricket”: Remembering Legendary coach, Ramakant Achrekar
Mumbai, Jan 3: Ramakant Achrekar, Childhood Coach of Sachin Tendulkar and Creator of many leading cricketers in India, died on Wednesday. Mr. Achrekar, 87, took his last breath at his residence, Shivaji Park, Dadar. Achrekar has been battling old-age related sickness for past two years.
Ramakant Vithal Achrekar born in 1932, have a more distinguished career in coaching than playing. He started his playing career in 1943. He played for Young Maharashtra XI, Gul Mohar Mills, and Mumbai Port. He played his first match (first class) for State Bank of India against Hyderabad in the Moin-ud-Dowla tournament in 1963.
He founded ‘Kamath Memorial Cricket Club’ at Shivaji Pak. He coached and shaped countless cricketers, such as Sachin Tendulkar, Ajit Agarkar, Chandrakant Pandit, Vinod Kambli, and Pravin Amre.
He dedicated his life for cricket coaching with aim of upliftment of Indian Cricket Standards.
In 1990, he was awarded ‘Dronacharya Award’ for his contribution in cricket coaching. In 2010, he was honored with ‘Padma Shri’, one of the country’s highest civilian award in sports category by then Indian President Pratibha Patil in New Delhi. In the same year, he was also awarded by ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award, in the sports category, by Gary Kirsten, then coach of Indian Cricket Team. In 2013, he was presented with ‘CNN-IBN Indian of the Year Outstanding Achievement’.
From childhood, Achrekar and Sachin Tendulkar have a great bond as “Guru-Shishya’.
His inspiring life story was chronicled in the book “Ramakant Achrekar: Master Blaster’s Master”, by Journalist Kunal Purandare, excellent biography of this legendary coach. This book was praised by various publications. The club started by him currently run by his daughter Kalpana Murkar and his son in law.
team India pays respect to coach Achrekar, Players wear a black armband in Sydney test on Thursday.
