Natural Game Should Not Be Tampered With

“I have been coaching for a long, long time now. I did not have any ambitions and did not look for awards. Cricket coaching is a challenge to me. I will CONTINUE TO COACH for as long as I can," says Ramakant Achrekar.

- G. Viswanath

Ramakant Achrekar, the venerated cricket coach was all humility as he accepted accolades from the unending stream of well wishers at the Kamath Memorial nets. This was a special day for him. For 25 years he had gone through the rigours of cricket coaching with zeal in Matunga, Ghatkopar, Shivaji Park and Azad Maidan. The reward had come at last. On May 20, the Dronacharya Award was conferred on him, recognising his meritorious contribution to the game of cricket.

Only two cricket coaches Desh Premi Azad (Chandigarh) and Gurcharan Singh (Delhi) had been bestowed with the Dronacharya Awards before. Achrekar has got it for the year 1990, which clearly points to the year of his pupil, 16- year-old Sachin Tendulkar’s emergence as a promising cricketer. For quite some time, since December 1991, rumours were afloat that Achrekar was being considered for the Dronacharya Award. Sachin Tendulkar was more than anxious to confirm their authenticity.

“It was during the India-Australia Test series I got a call from Sachin. He was keen to know if I was to get the award. I did not respond to his question and told him to concentrate on his game. Whether I would get it or not was irrelevant, the series was important for him and India,” revealed‹ Achrekar.

Indeed, Bombay’s prominent coach, Achrekar is a pleased man today. It took some time for the news to sink in when his family members revealed it to him. “I have been coaching for a long,long time now. I did not have any ambitions and did not look for awards. Cricket coaching is a challenge to me. I will continue to coach for as long as I can.”