RIP Ramakant Achrekar: Here is how Twitter reacted to the demise of Sachin Tendulkar's coach

Image: Twitter/@sachin_rt

Dronacharya awardee cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar, who is credited with shaping the early career of Sachin Tendulkar, died on January 2. He was 87.

A family member told PTI that he passed away due to age related ailments.

"He (Archrekar Sir) is no more with us. He passed away this evening," his kin Rashmi Dalvi told PTI over the phone.

Best known for training the master blaster in his childhood, Tendulkar has always acknowledged Achrekar as his mentor, who was also a Padma Shri award winner.

On the demise of the legendary coach, here's how the cricket fraternity express grief on Twitter.

The Board of Control For Cricket in India (BCCI) expressed sympathy on Achrekar's demise and said:

The BCCI expresses its deepest sympathy on the passing of Dronacharya award-winning guru Shri Ramakant Achrekar. Not only did he produce great cricketers, but also trained them to be fine human beings. His contribution to Indian Cricket has been immense. pic.twitter.com/mK0nQODo6b

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 2, 2019

The Mumbai Indians' official handle tweeted.

Dronacharya awardee, Padma Shri and @sachin_rt's first coach - Ramakant Achrekar sir passes away. #RIPpic.twitter.com/YanCL8CFQV

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) January 2, 2019

Tendulkar's former teammate, VVS Laxman said that Acherakar was the man who unearth the jewel of Indian cricket.

My heartfelt condolences on the passing away of #RamakantAchrekar Sir , who was instrumental in giving a jewel to Indian cricket. pic.twitter.com/qUZzG5Guf9 — VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 2, 2019

Former Indian cricketer, Mohammad Kaif,  paid condolences to the family and loved ones of Acherakar.

Condolences to his family and loved ones on the passing away of #RamakantAchrekar sir, who shaped and gave us a gift called Sachin Tendulkar ! pic.twitter.com/S7LIhNV4rh — Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 2, 2019

Indian historian and writer Ramachandra Guha also took the time to share his favourite Achrekar memory.

My favourite Achrekar memory/story is of the 1993 Mumbai Test. After Kambli got a double hundred and Tendulkar and Amre got fifties, placards were displayed in the Wankhede Stadium reading SHARDASHRAM vs ENGLAND — Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) January 2, 2019

Former pacer RP Singh who represented India between 2005-11 paid homage to Tendulkar's coach.

Sad to know that Ramakant Achrekar sir is no more. My homage to the great soul and condolences to the family. #Achrekarsir — R P Singh (@rpsingh) January 2, 2019

Sports writer and columnist Ayaz Memon paid tributes to the coach and said.

Ramakant Acharekar, whose mist famous protege is @sachin_rt, passes away. RIP — Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 2, 2019

In another tweet he said:

Apart from @sachin_rt , Chandu Pandit, Praveen Amre, Vinod Kambli, Amol Muzumdar, Ajit Agarkar, Sameer Dighe and Ramesh Powar were some other international and first class players mentored by Ramakant Acharekar — Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 2, 2019

Author and sports journalist Boria Majumdar tweeted:

Ramakant Achrekar is no more. Deepest condolensces to the family and to his students including Sachin Pravin Amre and Atul Ranade. Will forever live in peoples hearts in India. Thanks Sir for all you did for Indian cricket. — Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) January 2, 2019