Legendary India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar He met his childhood friend Vinod Kambli at the opening ceremony of the monument of their respected coach, Ramakant AchrekarDecember 3, 2024. This sensational event took place at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, a venue synonymous with cricket history in India. The memorial was unveiled to commemorate Achrekar’s contributions to sports and celebrate his legacy on his 92nd birthday.
Tribute to legendary coach Ramakant Achrekar by his students
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 gained fame in the world of cricket. Their bond was clear as they recalled their formative years under Achrekar’s watch. Tendulkar described the incident as “very special,” highlights Achrekar’s influence on his life and career. He shared warm memories of visiting Achrekar’s home for blessings on Guru Purnima Day and enjoying meals prepared by his wife, as he is affectionately called.Mummy” by young cricketers.
At the ceremony, a video captured the heartwarming moment when Tendulkar approached Kambli, leading to a warm hug and a short 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 is the video:
VIDEO | Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) met his childhood friend and former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli at the inauguration of legendary cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar’s memorial in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/uTgW0MIfax
– Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 3, 2024
Opposite ways of Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli
Tendulkar and Kambli were not just friends; they were cricket prodigies who grabbed the headlines during their school days with their spectacular performances. The duo set a record with an astonishing partnership of 664 runs in a single match, a feat that remains in the history of cricket. As Tendulkar’s career took off and he became one of the greatest batsmen of all time, Kamble’s journey took a different turn.
Kamble burst onto the international stage with impressive performances, including two double centuries in his first three Test matches. However, despite his early promise, he struggled with consistency and faced problems 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 1,084 runs in total.
In recent years, Kambli has faced personal problems, including health problems that have left fans worried about his well-being. A recent video showing him struggling to walk has drawn widespread sympathy from supporters. Kambli openly said about his financial problems that he only got the pension provided by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to support his family. This stark contrast in the paths of the two friends – Tendulkar’s legendary status and Kambli’s problems – shows the unpredictable nature of sports careers.
