'My three guiding hands' - Sachin Tendulkar shares heartfelt note on Teachers' Day

On the occasion of Teachers’ Day, legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar took a moment to appreciate the individuals who played influential roles in his life, right from being a young boy aspiring to take up the sport. 

In a heartfelt post on social media, the former thanked his father Ramesh Tendulkar, his childhood coach Ramakant Vitthal Achrekar, and his elder brother Ajit Tendulkar.

"The journey started with a coin, a kit bag, and three guiding hands: my father, Achrekar sir, and Ajit. Grateful, always," he wrote on X. 

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Sachin’s father, Ramesh Tendulkar, was a noted poet and writer who gave his son the values of humility and discipline. However, he passed away in 1999 when Sachin was just 26.  Notably, the cricketer has often stressed about his father’s guidance and the strength he drew from him during tough phases of his career.

Equally crucial in Tendulkar’s career was his first coach, Ramakant Achrekar, who spotted his talent and helped him from a young age. Under Achrekar’s watch, Sachin trained at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Achrekar, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 87, was awarded the Dronacharya Award in 1990 and the Padma Shri in 2010 for his contribution to Indian cricket. 

Lastly, Sachin’s elder brother Ajit played an important role in introducing him to the sport. It was Ajit who first recognized his younger brother’s potential and introduced him to Achrekar sir. He stood by him through the formative years. Tendulkar often acknowledges Ajit as the man who made sure his dreams had the right direction and support.

Sachin is first cricketer to score a double century in ODIs

Over a career spanning 24 years, he played 664 international matches, scoring 34,357 runs at an average of 48.52. He is the highest run-scorer in international cricket and the only player to score 100 international centuries. In ODIs, he scored 18,426 runs with 49 centuries, while in Tests, he hammered 15,921 runs with 51 centuries. He was also the first cricketer to score a double century in ODIs and the first to feature in 200 Test matches. He also lifted the World Cup in 2011, when India defeated Sri Lanka in the final.