Mumbai, Jan 2: Ramakant Achrekar, the celebrated cricket coach credited for discovering Sachin Tendulkar, died Wednesday.
He was 87 and, according to a family member, had been battling old age-related ailments for the past few days.
"He (Achrekar Sir) is no more with us. He passed away this evening," his kin Rashmi Dalvi told PTI 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 on Tendulkar.
Tendulkar, who is now retired, owns 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 bhel puri or pani-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 award in 2010.
Besides Tendulkar, he also coached some prominent players in Vinod Kambli, Pravin Amre, Sameer Dighe and Balwinder Singh Sandhu.
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Hubballi: Forest minister Eshwar Khandre will hand over relocation cheques to 57 residents of Talewadi village in Belagavi on May 17, under the voluntary relocation programme.
Located within the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, Talewadi is the first of 13 villages earmarked for relocation from one of Karnataka’s densest forests — a crucial tiger corridor linking the Kali Tiger Reserve with tiger habitats in Goa and Maharashtra, Deccan Herald reported on Thursday.
The relocation will free up over 1,000 hectares of inviolate forest land for wildlife. For the villagers, the move promises access to better healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
The residents of the village have been demanding relocation since 2013–14, citing challenges like poor connectivity and seasonal isolation during monsoons, when overflowing streams would cut them off from the mainland, added the report.
Khandre had visited the village in December 2024, assuring residents of support and timely action. The upcoming cheque disbursal marks the fulfillment of that promise, as the entire Talewadi village is being relocated outside the protected area.
“There was no force from the department for relocation. This is completely on our request,” said Bayaji Varak, a Talewadi resident and one of the beneficiaries of the relocation.