India is home to many athletes and sportsmen who are well known in the whole world through their accolades in the sporting arena. Their stories are well documented and many of them serve as living role models to young kids all over the country. They dream to follow their footsteps one day in the future. However, in all this hoopla, few men who have had an equal share of trials and tribulations in these athletes’ success always get pushed to the background. These men are the mentors, the guides and the caretakers of these athletes – more widely known as coaches. Today on the occasion of Teachers’ day, we at The Sportsrush pay tribute to the grit, patience and sacrifice of the 5 best Indian coaches.
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Ramakant Achrekar – Cricket
The coach-protégé relationship between Sachin Tendulkar-Ramakant Achrekar is one that is for the ages and finds a place in every documentary or cricketing folklore. After spotting the prodigal Sachin, Mr. Achrekar took on the nurturing responsibility. He used to take the young Sachin on his scooter to various stadiums across Mumbai to give him much needed match-practice.
He encouraged Sachin to work doubly hard and through the rigorous practice, Sachin slowly got ready for the big league cracking a century on his Ranji debut at a tender age of 15 against Gujarat. We all know where his career went from that point onward. The tale of Sachin trying to save his wicket to gain possession of the coins placed above the stumps by his coach at the end of a day is well known to every Indian cricket fan.