The players of the Indian cricket team wore black armbands when they took the field in the Day 1 of the fourth and final Test match of the four-match Test series between India and Australia, as a mark of respect to cricket coach Ramakant Acherkar, who breathed his last on Wednesday at the age of 87 in Mumbai. Achrekar was behind the success of many top cricketers, especially Sachin Tendulkar, who went on to become one of the best cricketers in the world.
“As a mark of respect to the demise of Mr.Ramakant Achrekar, the team is wearing black arm bands today. #TeamIndia,” wrote BCCI as they posted a photograph of players walking out to the field with black armbands on Day 1 of the fourt Test at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. Earlier, Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar paid a heartfelt tribute to Achrekar, who took Sachin under his training when he was young.
“Cricket in heaven will be enriched with his presence. Cricket in heaven will be enriched with the presence of Achrekar sir. Like many of his students, I learned my ABCD of cricket under Sir’s guidance,” Tendulkar had said in a statement as he paid tributes to his childhood coach.
“His contribution to my life cannot be captured in words. He built the foundation that I stand on. 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,” Sachin added
The Aussie side was also spotted wearing black bands to pay their tributes to former Australian batter Bill Watson, who breathed his last recently. Apart from Tendulkar, Achrekar was also behind the success of Vinod Kambli, Ajit Agarkar, Pravin Amre, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, Sameer Dighe to name a few.
