Uday Kotak pays tribute to Ramakant Achrekar, remembers him teaching batting technique in school

Tendulkar also paid tribute to his coach with a heartwarming note.

By ET Online and Agencies | Jan 03, 2019, 11.48 AM IST

From left: Uday Kotak, Ramakant Achrekar, Sachin Tendulkar.

NEW DELHI: Kotak Mahindra Bank CEO Uday Kotak took to Twitter to pay tribute to his school cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar, who passed away on Wednesday due to age-related ailments.

My cricket coach in school Ramakant Achrekar passes away. Fond memories of him teaching batting technique and a sma… https://t.co/jsq92En7jA
— Uday Kotak (@udaykotak) 1546447355000

Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar also paid an emotion tribute to his childhood coach. "Cricket in heaven will be enriched with the presence of (Ramakant) Achrekar sir," said iconic former batsman.

"Like many of his students, I learnt my ABCD of cricket under Sir's guidance," the Dronacharya awardee's most famous ward said in a statement.

"His contribution to my life cannot be captured in words. He built the foundation that I stand on," he added.

"Last month, I met Sir along with some of his students and spent some time together. We shared a laugh as we remembered the old times. Achrekar sir taught us the virtues of playing straight and living straight. Thank you for making us a part of your life and enriching us with your coaching manual.

"Well played Sir and may you coach more wherever you are," he signed off.

View this post on Instagram

You’ll always be in our hearts.

A post shared by Sachin Tendulkar (@sachintendulkar) on Jan 2, 2019 at 8:52am PST

Tendulkar, unarguably the greatest batsman in modern cricket, was coached by Achrekar at the Shivaji Park in Mumbai's Dadar as a child. The iconic cricketer, who is now retired, has been quite vocal about Achrekar's contribution in shaping him.

As a player, Achrekar competed in just one first-class match, but was instrumental in moulding Tendulkar as a child, often driving him to stadiums on his scooter.

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

Kambli paid tribute to the person who he said "gave birth to his cricketing career."

The person who gave birth to my cricketing career is You Ramakant Achrekar Sir, You will be missed. Rest in Peace.… https://t.co/3mEYNWnv8g
— VINOD KAMBLI (@vinodkambli349) 1546448986000

Not just from the sports fraternity, tributes also poured in for the coach on social media from other sections of the society.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Aamir Khan also toook to Twitter to pay their respects.

Shri Ramakant Achrekar Ji was a shining beacon of the Guru Parampara. An outstanding mentor, he groomed cricketing… https://t.co/UszDt6i2TX
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) 1546485026000

My heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr Ramakant Achrekar, to Sachin, and to all those close to him. We will… https://t.co/Wn1eJOjNAp
— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) 1546441027000

One of the finest coaches to have graced the Indian domestic circuit, our condolences to Sir #RamakantAchrekar's fa… https://t.co/u67C4AJC5E
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) 1546438611000

My heartfelt condolences on the passing away of #RamakantAchrekar Sir , who was instrumental in giving a jewel to I… https://t.co/DYlBjSYzgP
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) 1546437827000

The BCCI expresses its deepest sympathy on the passing of Dronacharya award-winning guru Shri Ramakant Achrekar. No… https://t.co/o7zHYVOsgI
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1546436998000

(With inputs from PTI)

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