Last update:December 4, 2024, 09:00 IST

Sachin Tendulkar unveiled the memorial of his childhood coach Ramakant Achrekar at the famous Shivaji Park in Mumbai in the presence of Vinod Kambli.

Sachin Tendulkar meets Vinod Kambli and unveils Ramakant Achrekar’s memorial at Shivaji Park in Mumbai (Photo: Viral Bhayani)

Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday joined Vinod Kambli at the unveiling of the memorial of his childhood coach Ramakant Achrekar at the famous Shivaji Park in Mumbai.

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 honored with the prestigious Dronacharya Award and received 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 that the players he coached were never tense during matches, thanks to their solid temperament developed by the great coach.

“Ajit (Tendulkar’s elder brother) used to play and during games he observed that those who were not the Lord’s disciples were tensed. He was always amazed that Sir’s students were never under pressure.

“Then he realized that the gentleman had had a lot of practice matches and that his temper was built up. I was no exception,” Tendulkar spoke in Marathi.

“Cricket was always going on under Sir. The Lord always asked us to bring nets. Jeetu’s father had provided the gentleman with a room for the club’s equipment, he told me to use it and I played there.

“He taught us to appreciate things, we rolled, sprinkled water, laid nets and practiced, he trained us. The bond and understanding, a street smart player, is someone who understands all that, water given to the wicket, that’s how our brain absorbed that information as he was doing that.”

Recalling the Achrekar method, Tendulkar said, “Sir did level 1, 2, 3, 4 coaching in the 1970s and 80s. He had the vision to teach players and respect the equipment. I still tell the players that if you are on the field because of the bat, respect it.

“Please remember your cricket equipment, don’t throw it, put it in a specific place, don’t take out your frustration on your cricket equipment. I’m sitting here because of my equipment. I will always pass on my Lord’s messages to the future generation. We’ll try it.

“The Lord used to tell a lot with his eyes. We figured it out based on his body language. He never told me he played well.

“Sir never took advantage of that chance, after a game he would sometimes give me money to do a vada pav, so I thought I must have done something well. There was always that kind of affection.

“We used to go to his house, invited by him and his wife and our favorite food was mutton curry, pav, lemon and onions. Vishakha always came and served us.”

(With contributions from agencies)