Tendulkar pays tribute to mentor Achrekar

Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar on Saturday paid rich tributes to his mentor Cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar and said he could attain such heights because of the 'sir'.

Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar on Saturday paid rich tributes to his mentor Cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar and said he could attain such heights because of the 'sir'.

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Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, Praveen Amre and Sameer Dighe along with Achrekar were felicitated at a function in Nagpur as 'Guru-Shishya' (mentor and his protege) by a local arts and cultural academy, was presided by BCCI President Shashank Manohar.

Tendulkar recalled an incident when his coach told him to play for 'B' team of his School. Instead of batting, he preferred sitting in the gallery and cheering his schoolmates.

In the evening, when he came across Achrekar, he was asked how many runs he had scored. Taken aback, Tendulkar told him that he was clapping and cheering up. Then came a slap which shattered his myth. His lunch box fell on the ground and he realised what mistake he had commited, he said.

Achrekar told him firmly 'don't just clap for others, play for yourself and concentrate on your batting', Tendulkar said.

"That incident changed my life and whatever I am today is because of his coaching and match practices encouraged by Achrekar sir," he said.