NEW DELHI: Indian players on Thursday wore
black armbands
to pay respect to coach
Ramakant Achrekar
, who died on Wednesday, as the fourth and final Test against Australia began at the
Sydney Cricket Ground
.
"As a mark of respect to the demise of Mr.Ramakant Achrekar, the team is wearing black arm bands today. #TeamIndia," the Board of Control for
Cricket
in India (BCCI) tweeted from its official handle.
Ramakant Achrekar, the celebrated cricket coach credited for discovering master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, died at the age of 87 in Mumbai.
Tendulkar, who grew under the tutelage of Achrekar, paid tribute to the man who shaped him into a legend.
"Cricket in heaven will be enriched with the presence of Achrekar sir," Tendulkar said in a statement. "Like many of his students, I learnt my ABCD of cricket under Sir's guidance. His contribution to my life cannot be captured in words. He built the foundation that I stand on," master blaster said.
Besides Tendulkar, Achrekar also coached some prominent players in Vinod Kambli, Pravin Amre, Sameer Dighe and Balwinder Singh Sandhu.
The Australia team was also seen wearing black armbands to pay tribute to former Australia and New South Wales batsman Bill Watson, who died recently at the age of 87.