The Indian players on day 1 of the fourth Test match that Virat Kohli led team were spotted wearing black bands at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The bands were worn to pay tributes to Ramakant Achrekar sir, the coach of Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. He was responsible for giving India several cricketing prodigies including Ajit Agarkar, Pravin Amre, Sameer Dighe and Balvindar Singh Sandhu. Ramakant Achrekar passed away at his residence at Shivaji Park in Dadar and was 87 years old.  Sachin Tendulkar's Coach Ramakant Achrekar Dies at 87: Recalling Famous Incidents From the Master Blaster and His Coach's Journey.

The coach had been unwell for a while now. The BCCI shared a picture of the team wearing black bands. “As a mark of respect to the demise of Mr.Ramakant Achrekar, the team is wearing black armbands today. #TeamIndia,” read the caption of the snap. Ramakant Achrekar's Death: Cricket Fraternity Mourns Sachin Tendulkar's Coach's Demise.

Sachin Tendulkar was the first one to post a message for his coach. “You’ll always be in our hearts,” read the Master Blaster’s tweet. While speaking to about Achrekar sir, he said,"Cricket in heaven will be enriched with his presence. Cricket in heaven will be enriched with the presence of Achrekar sir. Like many of his students, I learned my ABCD of cricket under Sir's guidance," Tendulkar had said in a statement as he paid tributes to his childhood coach.”

“Sad to hear about the passing of Achrekar Sir. Man who instilled grit & discipline in Mumbai cricket 🏏,” read Rohit Sharma’s tweet.

The Aussie side was also spotted wearing black bands to pay their tributes to former Australian batter Bill Watson, who breathed his last recently.Sachin Tendulkar Says, ‘Cricket in Heaven Will Be Enriched,’ Condoles Ramakant Achrekar Sir’s Demise.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 03, 2019 09:09 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).