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Legendary India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar reunited with his childhood friend Vinod Kambli at the unveiling ceremony of a memorial for their esteemed coach, Ramakant Achrekar, on December 3, 2024. This poignant event took place at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, a location synonymous with cricketing history in India. The memorial was unveiled to commemorate Achrekar’s contributions to the sport and celebrate his legacy on what would have been his 92nd birthday.
A tribute to a legendary coach Ramakant Achrekar by his pupils
Achrekar, who passed away in 2019, was instrumental in shaping the careers of many cricketers, including Tendulkar and Kambli. Under his guidance, the duo honed their skills and rose to prominence in the cricketing world. Their bond was evident as they reminisced about their formative years spent under Achrekar’s watchful eye. Tendulkar described the event as “very special,” emphasizing the impact Achrekar had on his life and career. He shared heartwarming memories of visiting Achrekar’s home for blessings on Guru Purnima Day and enjoying meals prepared by his wife, fondly referred to as “Mummy” by the young cricketers.
At the ceremony, a video captured the heartfelt moment when Tendulkar approached Kambli, leading to a warm embrace and a brief exchange filled with nostalgia. Their reunion not only highlighted their enduring friendship but also served as a reminder of their shared journey from school cricket to international fame.
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Here’s the video:
VIDEO | Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) met his childhood friend and former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli at the unveiling ceremony of memorial for legendary cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/uTgW0MIfax
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 3, 2024
The contrasting paths of Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli
Tendulkar and Kambli were not just friends; they were cricketing prodigies who made headlines with their remarkable performances during their school days. The duo famously set a record with a staggering 664-run partnership in a single match, a feat that remains etched in cricketing history. While Tendulkar’s career soared, culminating in him becoming one of the greatest batters of all time, Kambli’s journey took a different turn.
Kambli burst onto the international scene with impressive performances, including two double centuries in his first three Test matches. However, despite his early promise, he struggled with consistency and faced challenges that curtailed his career. Ultimately, he played just 17 Tests and 104 ODIs before retiring from international cricket in 2009. His statistics reflect both brilliance and missed opportunities: an average of 54.20 in Tests with four centuries but only 1084 runs overall.
In recent years, Kambli has faced personal struggles, including health issues that have left fans concerned about his well-being. A recent video showing him struggling to walk sparked widespread sympathy among supporters. Kambli has been candid about his financial difficulties, revealing that he relies solely on the pension provided by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to support his family. This stark contrast between the two friends’ paths—Tendulkar’s legendary status and Kambli’s challenges—highlights the unpredictable nature of sports careers.
