No problem in Tendulkar and Kambli's friendship, says their school coach
No problem in Tendulkar and Kambli's friendship, says their school coach
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While the Indian cricket fans reacted with shock at the news of a rift in Vinod Kambli and Sachin Tendulkar's friendship, their coach Ramakant Achrekar was hurt the most.
Achrekar had nurtured the duo's career at Shardashram Vidyamandir (English) and has seen their friendship grow along with their batting partnerships.
Kambli was reported to have spoken against his childhood friend Sachin Tendulkar for not helping him enough in a TV reality show, though the left-hand batsman denied it later.
"Kharab laga hai sunke (It felt bad to hear)," Achrekar told MiD DAY yesterday. "Aisa ho hi nahi sakta, unka baat hota rehta hai. (It is not possible. I know they are in regular touch with each other)," said Achrekar, who speaks haltingly due to old age.
Asked whether Kambli would have had a longer international career with more support from Tendulkar, the coach said: "Khelne ka baat hi nahin hai (It is not an issue of playing or not)."
Kambli and Tendulkar's schoolmate Ricky Couto and his brother Marcus, who were both part of the controversial reality show, said their friendship will survive the current controversy.
Ricky said: "During schooldays they must have argued hundreds of time, but after two minutes they were best of friends again. They are still good friends and it won't be affected because of this issue."
Marcus said the two were still the thickest of friends. "Only last week Kambli had spoken to Tendulkar about attending his function to announce plans for his sports academy. Tendulkar told Kambli that he had his full support in the new venture."
Pravin Amre, who played with Tendulkar and Kambli in the Indian team and was also coached by Achrekar, said one plays because of ability and not support.
"I don't want to comment on their friendship, it's Kambli's personal issue. But as far as support is concerned, you play on your own merit. Everybody plays because of his own ability," said Amre.
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