Sachin Tendulkar and Pravin Amre: A Cricket Bond That Shaped a Legend

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The bond between Sachin Tendulkar and Pravin Amre is beyond the cricket field. Cricket is more than just a sport in India; it’s an emotion and a way of life. Behind every great cricketer, there are people who play a crucial role in their journey.

One such influential figure in Sachin Tendulkar’s early career was Pravin Amre. Their relationship was not just about coaching; it was built on trust, belief, and an unforgettable story about Sachin’s first half-spike shoe that still resonates in cricketing circles today.

Pravin Amre: A Mentor Who Saw the Spark

Pravin Amre, known for his solid technique and sharp, cricketing mind, was not just a talented player but also a respected coach.

Sachin Tendulkar and Pravin Amre — Image of Indian star players in Pravin Amre Biography book launch. Image Credit: PTI

In the mid-1980s, he encountered a young, eager Sachin Tendulkar at Shivaji Park Gymkhana in Mumbai. It didn’t take long for Amre to realize that this boy was special.

As a mentor, Amre helped Sachin fine-tune his technique, improve his mental toughness, and develop the patience needed to succeed at the highest level. But beyond just coaching, Amre also found ways to inspire and push Sachin to be better.

The Adidas Half-Spike Shoe Challenge

One of the most famous stories of their bond is about Sachin’s first half-spike shoe. After returning from a club cricket season in Kenya, Pravin Amre brought back a pair of Adidas half-spike shoes. Sachin, who was still a budding cricketer, saw the shoes and was instantly drawn to them.

Seeing the admiration in Sachin’s eyes, Amre decided to use the shoes as motivation. He told the young cricketer:

“If you score a century in your next match, these shoes are yours.”

Sachin, always up for a challenge, took this as a mission. True to his potential, he went out and scored a century in a school match. As promised, Pravin Amre handed over the shoes to Sachin, making them his first-ever pair of half-spike shoes.

This was more than just a reward. It was a symbol of Amre’s belief in Sachin’s talent and a lesson that hard work brings rewards. That simple gesture left a lasting impact on Sachin, and he never forgot it.

A Lifelong Connection

Even after Sachin became a cricketing icon, his respect for Pravin Amre never faded. Whenever he needed technical advice, even in his later years, he turned to Amre. In 2007, when Sachin was struggling with his ODI form, he once again sought Amre’s guidance, proving how much he trusted his mentor.

On the other hand, Pravin Amre went on to become a successful coach, mentoring players like Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina and continuing his legacy of shaping Indian cricket.

The story of Sachin Tendulkar and Pravin Amre is a beautiful reminder of how small gestures and strong mentorship can shape a player’s career. Sachin’s first half-spike shoe wasn’t just footwear—it was a reward for determination, a lesson in discipline, and a token of faith from a mentor who believed in his potential.

This bond between a coach and his student is what makes cricket special. While Sachin went on to achieve greatness, he always remembered those who helped him along the way, proving that behind every legend, there’s someone who believed in them first.