‘One More Thank You’: Sachin Tendulkar Pays Emotional Tribute To Coach Ramakant Achrekar On Guru Purnima

Sachin Tendulkar at Shivaji Memorial Park (Image: Sachin/X) Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar paid a heartfelt tribute to his late mentor Ramakant Achrekar on the occasion of Guru Purnima and expressed his gratitude to the coach who laid the foundations of his legendary career. The batting great shared pictures from his visit to Achrekar’s memorial at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park and reflected on the invaluable lessons his coach imparted on and off the field.In an emotional message posted on social media, Tendulkar wrote:“As I stand here today, I realized something. No matter how many years pass, I will always feel like I have one more ‘thank you’ left. Thank you for believing in me, guiding me and helping me become who I am. Happy Guru Purnima, Mr. Achrekar.”

The coach who shaped a cricket legend

Achrekar was instrumental in nurturing Tendulkar’s talent during his formative years at the famous Shivaji Park. A veteran coach known for his strict discipline and emphasis on hard work, he played a key role in developing Tendulkar’s technique, temperament and dedication, qualities that would later define one of the greatest careers in cricket history. Over the years, Tendulkar has repeatedly acknowledged Achrekar’s influence, often crediting him with preparing him from a young age to handle the pressures of international cricket.A memorial to Ramakant Achrekar was unveiled at Shivaji Park in 2024 to celebrate his immense contribution to Indian cricket. Tendulkar attended the unveiling ceremony and paid tribute to the man widely regarded as one of the most influential cricket coaches in the country.

24 years of heritage

Sachin Tendulkar ended his legendary 24-year career in international cricket as the highest scorer and century maker in the history of international cricket. He made his international debut for India aged just 16 in 1989 and played continuously until his emotional farewell at his home ground in Mumbai in November 2013. He widely represents the gold standard of modern batting, having completed 34,357 international runs and an unprecedented 100 international centuries.