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Mumbai: He is the most envied teacher on Earth today...and has every reason to be so. Nothing could have been a better 'guru dakshina' for the veteran coach, Ramakant Achrekar, than watching his favourite student, Sachin Tendulkar, playing the 100th Test match on the occasion of Teacher's Day. For Achrekar, who spotted the genius in Sachin when he was all of nine year old, the journey from training the young Tendulkar to tackle the ball on a relatively rough pitch in a middle-class colony at Dadar to watching him tackle world class bowlers, has been a long but rewarding one. "I am definite Sachin will score, given his tremendous talent and confidence," said on Thursday. Recounting young Tendulkar's early tryst with the willow, Achrekar said in his faltering voice given his advancing age, "He was initally very slow and had minor flaws. But a little of coaching and he soon began displaying his hidden genius. "Though he did have a brilliant streak within him, I never expected him to reach the world class category. My expectations stopped at him playing for the country. He has crossed all expectations," said the sports coach, who has entered cricket history as the teacher of the batting maestro. "Sachin has never played for money and hence he excels each time. My constant refrain to him has been play while you play and don't worry about anything," Achrekar, who reminded Sachin of his oft-quoted advice even when he came to seek his blessing before the epoch making 100th Test match, said. Extras:
Eulogies pour for Sachin's 100th Test appearance
Celebrate Sachin Tendulkar's 100th Test appearance
PTI 
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