Achrekar with Sachin in a file photo.
Ramakant Vithal Achrekar was the person who doesn't need any introduction as he was the coach of greatest cricketer to ever grace the game- Sachin Tendulkar. Achrekar was born in pre-independent era 1932 and was died at the age of 87.
Achrekar started playing cricket in 1943 and joined the club cricket two years later for New Hind Sports Club. In his club cricket days, he also represented Young Maharashtra XI, Gul Mohar Mills and Mumbai Port. While he played only one first-class cricket match for all-India State Bank against Hyderabad in the Moin-ud-Dowla tournament in 1963–64.
Achrekar founded the Kamath Memorial Cricket Club at Shivaji Park where he trained many former cricketers alongside Tendulkar. Ajit Agarkar, Chandrakant Pandit, Vinod Kambli and Pravin Amre are the one who were trained under him and represented the nation at the highest level.
Achrekar was always up for promoting cricket in India and improving the standard of the game. In the year 1990, Achrekar was as honoured with Dronacharya Award for his services to cricket coaching. He was also felicitated by Padma Shri, one of the country's highest civilian awards in the sports category in 2010 by then President Pratibha Patil.
Tendulkar has always credited his success to his coach Achrekar and gave him his highest respect at every stage.
Achrekar was the one who guided the Master Blaster in the young age to improve his gifted cricketing techniques.
