Top 9 Indian cricketers trained by coach Ramakant Achrekar

Ramakant Achrekar was a cricket coach, mentor, and a father figure to many Indian cricketers. Based in Mumbai, he began his coaching at Shivaji Park. While his playing career remained decent, his coaching tenure saw him contribute to Indian cricket immensely. He was awarded the Dronacharya and Padma Shri for his contribution. Even after his passing in 2019, his teachings continue to live on through the many players who credit him for their success.

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9. Ajit Agarkar

Ajit Agarkar began not as a fast bowler but as a batter under the legendary coach Ramakant Achrekar. Taken to Achrekar by his father, Agarkar switched schools in Grade 6 to Shardashram Vidyamandir, on his coach’s advice.

He was on his way to becoming a prolific batter, smashing a triple century in the Giles Shield at age 15, however, Agarkar eventually focused on bowling. The former cricketer represented India in 191 ODIs, 26 Tests, and four T20Is, and became the fastest Indian to 50 ODI wickets at the time.

 Agarkar’s batting exploits saw him score a memorable Test hundred at Lord’s. After retiring in 2013, he transitioned into administration and coaching. Since July 2023, the 47-year-old has been serving as India’s men’s chairman of selectors.

8. Sanjay Bangar

Former India all-rounder, Sanjay Bangar, is another player part of this list. His international career was brief, featuring 12 Tests and 15 ODIs between 2001 and 2004. Though he could not have a long international career, Bangar became a domestic cricket stalwart. Representing Railways, he scored over 8,000 runs and picked 300 wickets in first-class cricket, even leading the team to Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup, and Vijay Hazare titles.

Post-retirement, Bangar took up coaching roles. After early stints with India A and the NCA, he was  appointed India’s batting coach in 2014. Bangar was also part of the support staff of Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and later coached Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He is currently enjoying his stint as a broadcaster and a cricket analyst.

7. Pravin Amre

One of the most sincere students of the legendary Ramakant Achrekar, Pravin Amre, has made his name in cricket. A member of the Tendulkar-Kambli batch, Amre was once told by Achrekar to become a better batter than Tendulkar. Notably, Amre scored a century on Test debut in Durban against the South African attack, and represented India in 11 Tests and 37 ODIs.

In his domestic career, Amre scored over 5,800 first-class runs, with a highest score of 246. He played for Mumbai, Railways, Rajasthan, Bengal, and even Boland in South Africa. At present, Amre is one of India’s most respected coaches. He guided India U-19 to a World Cup title in 2012 and has mentored the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, and Robin Uthappa.

In 2011, he started a cricket academy in Mumbai, called Amre’s Cricket Club, for children. He also helped Mumbai win two Ranji Trophy titles in his first three years as head coach. He is currently a talent scout for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL.

6. Ramesh Powar

Former Indian spinner Ramesh Powar is also a product of the Ramakant Achrekar school of cricket. His represented India in two Tests and 31 ODIs, taking six and 34 wickets, respectively.

At the domestic level, Powar played for Mumbai for over 16 years, picking up 470 wickets and scoring over 4,000 runs. Post-retirement in 2015, Powar transitioned into coaching. He first became the head coach of the Indian women’s team in 2018 and later guided them to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. Despite controversies, including a fallout with Mithali Raj, Powar returned as head coach in 2021 before moving to the NCA as spin bowling coach in 2022. 

5. Chandrakant Pandit

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Chandrakant Pandit also trained under Ramakant Achrekar. His triple century for Shardashram Vidyamandir, followed by a scolding for throwing away his wicket, was a memorable moment from his school cricket days.

Pandit represented India in five Tests and 36 ODIs during the 1980s and early ’90s. Though his international career was short-lived, he displayed his skills both as a batter and behind the stumps, including 11 catches in just two Tests as a wicketkeeper on the 1991-92 Australia tour. He went on to have a brilliant domestic career, scoring over 8,000 first-class runs with 22 centuries.

After retiring, Pandit took up coaching duties. He led Mumbai to back-to-back Ranji Trophy wins in 2003 and 2004, and later scripted history with Vidarbha, guiding them to consecutive titles in 2018 and 2019. In 2022, he played a big role in Madhya Pradesh’s maiden Ranji Trophy win. He is currently the head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL and guided them to a long-awaited title in 2024.

4. Lalchand Rajput

Lalchand Sitaram Rajput was once looked at as a huge prospect for India’s top order. Rajput got his big break when Sunil Gavaskar stepped down from opening duties in the mid-80s. He made his Test debut in 1985 with scores of 32 and 61 in Sri Lanka. However, his international career remained restricted to just two Tests and four ODIs.

In domestic cricket, he scored over 7,900 runs in 110 first-class games with 20 centuries. Post-retirement, he went into coaching and administration roles. He played important roles with the India U-19 side and later managed the senior Indian team that lifted the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007. He also coached the Mumbai Indians in the first IPL season. He also had coaching stints in Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. In 2024, he was appointed head coach of the UAE national team.

3. Balwinder Sandhu

Originally an off-spinner, Balwinder Singh Sandhu switched to medium pace under the guidance of Ramakant Achrekar. He learnt to swing the ball both ways while training under the former coach and became a dependable seamer for India.

Sandhu went on to play eight Tests and 22 ODIs, and was also part of the 1983 World Cup-winning team. His inswinger that bowled Gordon Greenidge in the final is one of the most memorable moments from the iconic summit clash.

Post-retirement, Sandhu turned to coaching, passing on his knowledge with stints at Mumbai, Punjab, and the National Cricket Academy. He also coached in Kenya and was briefly associated with the Indian Cricket League. 

2. Vinod Kambli

One of Ramakant Achrekar’s brightest students, Vinod Kambli, burst onto the international scene in 1991. A childhood friend and batting partner of Sachin Tendulkar, Kambli’s style and batting abilities made him a sensation in the early 1990s. He made his Test debut in 1993 and scored four centuries, including two double tons, in just 17 matches, averaging over 54. In ODIs, he played 104 games, scoring 2,477 runs.

However, his last Test came in 1995, and he officially retired from international cricket in 2009. Post-retirement, Kambli remained active in cricket, announcing the Khel Bharti Sports Academy in 2009 and taking up coaching roles with the MCA Academy and Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy until 2022. He also openly expressed his admiration for Achrekar, even singing a song at the memorial event. However, Kambli’s later years have been affected by health challenges, including heart issues.

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Ramakant Achrekar’s legacy was channeled through the legendary Indian batter, Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar’s cricketing journey began at Achrekar’s summer camp. Rejected at first for being too raw, he was given another chance, with Achrekar watching from afar. One of his famous drills was placing a one-rupee coin on the stumps and challenging bowlers to dismiss Sachin. If they succeeded, the coin was theirs. If not, Sachin got to keep it. Those coins became Tendulkar’s early moments of appreciation

Tendulkar went on to play 200 Tests and 463 ODIs for India, scoring a record 15,921 and 18,426 runs respectively. He became the first cricketer to score 100 international centuries and the first to hit a double hundred in ODIs. Tendulkar often credited Achrekar for teaching discipline, respect for the game.