Sachin pays tribute to Achrekar

Even after playing for 20 years at the international level, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar still remembers Ramakant Achrekar and has credited his childhood coach for moulding him into the best batsman of the modern era.

''Batting for hours and hours under the ever-so-watchful eyes of my coach Ramakant Achrekar has gone into making of what I am today. Those three to four years with Achrekar sir were the most crucial period of my life,'' Tendulkar said.

''He used to make us play matches almost everyday and that helped me to build my match temperament. I must thank my sir who taught me how to read a match situation and bat accordingly,'' the master blaster told 'cricketnirvana.com'.

Tendulkar has made humility his hallmark despite piling up almost 30,000 runs and 87 centuries in all forms of the game, but the cricketing icon revealed that his family kept him firmly grounded.

''My family made sure my feet was planted on the ground. I enjoy success, who doesn't but I don't get carried away. There is an unwritten rule at home - let others talk about the last game and you (Sachin) focus on the next. ''I must say, without my elder brother Ajit and other members of the family I wouldn't have reached this far,'' he stated.

Talking about the best moment of his marathon two-decade long career, the 36-year-old said his Test debut against Pakistan against the likes of fast bowling greats Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis was the most memorable experience for him. ''The first day (of Karachi Test, '89), when I was walking into the ground as part of the playing XI, was the greatest moment of my career,'' Tendulkar revealed.

''The day I wore my India cap, I was on cloud nine. The dream was to play for India and I was fortunate that I was living that dream.

The first day when I was walking into the ground (National Stadium, Karachi) as part of the playing XI was the greatest moment of my career,'' he reminisced.

-- (UNI) -- 15SPD39.xml

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