"Mutton Curry, Pav, Lemon, Onion": Sachin Tendulkar Reveals His "Favourite Diet"

Batting great Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday described his celebrated childhood coach Ramakant Achrekar as an "all-rounder" and a one-stop shop who was way ahead of his time when it came to teaching cricket as his coaching went beyond the field. Tendulkar was speaking after unveiling the legendary coach Achrekar's memorial at the iconic Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray was also present on the occasion.

Recalling his days when he was under the tutelage of Achrekar, Tendulkar said players trained by him were never tensed during matches thanks to their solid temperament developed by the great coach.

"Ajit (Tendulkar's elder brother) used to play, and in matches, his observation was, who were not sir's students, they were tensed. He used to wonder sir's students were never under pressure.

"Then he realised, sir had a lot of practice matches, and that temperament had been built. I was no exception," Tendulkar spoke in Marathi.

"Cricket was always going on under sir. Sir used to ask us to bring nets. Jeetu's father had given sir a room, for the club's kit, he told me to use that, and I used to play.

"He taught us to value things, we used to do rolling, sprinkle water, put nets, and practice, he trained us. The bond and understanding, a street-smart player, is someone who understands all this, water given to wicket, that's how our brain used to absorb that information while doing that." The memorial, near Gate No 5, had got the green signal from the Maharashtra government in August this year.

Recalling the Achrekar method, Tendulkar said, "Sir used to do level 1, 2, 3, 4 coaching in 1970s and 80s. He had a vision to teach players, and respect the kit. I still tell players, that you are