Ramakant Achrekar, childhood coach of Sachin Tendulkar, no more

Achrekar was a Dronacharya and Padma Shri awardee

[File] Sachin Tendulkar with his first coach Ramakant Achrekar | PTI [File] Sachin Tendulkar with his first coach Ramakant Achrekar | PTI

Dronacharya awardee cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar, who is credited with shaping the early career of Sachin Tendulkar, died on Wednesday.

He was 87. A family member said that he passed away owing to old-age related ailments.

"He (Achrekar Sir) is no more with us. He passed away this evening," his kin Rashmi Dalvi said over phone.

Achrekar competed in just one first-class match in his playing career but discovered and shaped the biggest batsman in international cricket after Sir Donald Bradman. 

Tendulkar, who is now retired, owes him almost all the batting records that were there for the taking in the game, including the highest runs in Tests (15,921) and ODIs (18,426).  

Achrekar is best known for being his childhood coach and has always been acknowledged by the celebrated right-hander for the role he played in shaping his career as a child.  

Tendulkar was coached by Achrekar at the Shivaji Park here. 

"Sir did not say well-played to me ever, (but) I knew (when) Sir has taken me to have bhelpuri or paani-puri, Sir is happy, I have done something nice on the field," Tendulkar had said last year at an event while recalling Achrekar's contribution in making him the cricketer he became.  

Achrekar was bestowed the Padma Shri in 2010.

Besides Tendulkar, he also coached some prominent players such as Vinod Kambli, Pravin Amre, Sameer Dighe and Balwinder Singh Sandhu.