Who is Virat Kohli's coach?

Virat Kohli's childhood coach is Rajkumar Sharma, who trained him at the West Delhi Cricket Academy and played a key role in shaping his career.

Who is Yashasvi Jaiswal's coach?

Yashasvi Jaiswal was mentored by Jwala Singh, who supported him during his early struggles and helped him become an international cricketer.

Who was Rohit Sharma's childhood coach?

Rohit Sharma's childhood coach is Dinesh Lad, who recognised his batting talent at a young age and guided him throughout his formative years.

Why is the guru-shishya tradition important in Indian cricket?

The guru-shishya tradition is important because coaches help young cricketers improve their skills, build discipline and develop the confidence needed to succeed at the highest level.

5 famous Indian cricket Guru-Shishya pairs that inspire every fan

Q: Who coached Sachin Tendulkar?

Sachin Tendulkar was coached by the legendary Ramakant Achrekar at Mumbai's Shivaji Park. Achrekar helped develop Sachin's technique, discipline and temperament.

Guru Purnima is a special occasion to express gratitude to gurus, teachers, mentors and guides who inspire us with knowledge, wisdom and life lessons. Celebrated on the full moon day of Ashadha, the festival honours the sacred guru-shishya bond and the invaluable role of those who shape our lives.

Indian cricket has also witnessed several memorable guru-shishya relationships that have played a key role in shaping some of the country's greatest cricketers. Behind many successful players is a mentor who guided them, helped them improve their skills and supported them throughout their journey.

From Virat Kohli and Rajkumar Sharma to Sachin Tendulkar and Ramakant Achrekar, and the new-generation duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jwala Singh, Indian cricket has been shaped by several iconic guru-shishya relationships.

These inspiring mentor-student partnerships have played a crucial role in developing some of the country's greatest cricketers. Today, on the special occasion of Guru Purnima 2026, here are five legendary Indian cricket guru-shishya pairs that continue to inspire every fan.

5. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jwala Singh

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jwala Singh

Yashasvi Jaiswal's journey from a struggling young cricketer to one of India's brightest stars is a true example of the guru-shishya bond. His coach, Jwala Singh, played a crucial role in shaping his career by providing guidance, training and constant support during his early years.

Jaiswal moved from rural Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai at the age of 12 to pursue his dream of becoming a cricketer. He faced several hardships, including living in tents and selling pani puri to earn money. Jwala Singh spotted his talent at Azad Maidan, took him under his wing and helped him develop into a top-class batter. Their inspiring partnership laid the foundation for Jaiswal's remarkable rise in Indian cricket.

Today, Jaiswal is one of India's most promising batters across formats. In 29 Tests, he has scored 2,535 runs at an average of 48.75, including seven centuries and a highest score of 214*. He has also impressed in limited-overs cricket, scoring 285 runs in six ODIs and 723 runs in 23 T20Is, proving that Jwala Singh's belief in his talent has paid off.

4. Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Lad

Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Lad

Rohit Sharma's journey to becoming one of India's greatest batters began under the guidance of his childhood coach, Dinesh Lad. Lad spotted Rohit's talent at a young age and encouraged him to focus on batting, a decision that changed the course of his career.

Rohit joined Swami Vivekanand School in Mumbai under Dinesh Lad's mentorship. The coach supported him throughout his early years and helped him develop into a world-class cricketer. Under Lad's guidance, Rohit went on to become India's all-format captain, leading the team to the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy titles. His journey is a perfect example of the power of the guru-shishya bond.

Today, Rohit is one of the most successful batters in international cricket. In 67 Tests, he has scored 4,301 runs, while in 288 ODIs he has amassed 11,895 runs, including a record three double centuries. He has also scored 4,231 runs in 159 T20Is, making him one of India's greatest players across all formats.

3. Sarfaraz Khan and Naushad Khan

Sarfaraz Khan and Naushad Khan

Sarfaraz Khan's cricket journey has been guided by his father and coach, Naushad Khan. From a young age, Naushad trained Sarfaraz with strict discipline and helped him develop the skills and mindset needed to succeed at the highest level. After years of outstanding performances in domestic cricket, Sarfaraz earned his India Test debut in 2024.

Naushad's training methods have always been intense. During the monsoon, when cricket activities stop in Mumbai, he takes Sarfaraz and his younger son, Musheer, to their ancestral village in Uttar Pradesh so they can continue practising. After the 2023 IPL season, Sarfaraz followed a demanding routine that included early morning runs, gym sessions, fielding drills and long net sessions every day. Naushad also travelled across Uttar Pradesh to arrange practice matches for his sons.

Even when they are in Mumbai, the hard work never stops. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarfaraz followed a packed training schedule that began before sunrise and continued until the evening. He trained at Cross Maidan, attended Mumbai team practice at the Wankhede Stadium and then completed additional sessions at home. Their dedication and discipline reflect one of Indian cricket's strongest father-son guru-shishya relationships.

2. Virat Kohli and Rajkumar Sharma

Virat Kohli's rise to becoming one of the greatest batters in cricket history began under the guidance of his childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma. At the West Delhi Cricket Academy, Sharma helped Kohli improve his technique, discipline and work ethic, laying the foundation for a remarkable international career.

Rajkumar Sharma has often described his relationship with Kohli as that of a mentor, friend and guide. He has praised Kohli's dedication, hard work and passion for the game, saying he feels fortunate to have coached such a talented player. Sharma believes Kohli's discipline and commitment have been the biggest reasons behind his success, both as a batter and as a leader.

Today, Kohli is one of the greatest players of the modern era. He has scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, 14,941 runs in 314 ODIs and 4,188 runs in 125 T20Is. His consistency, fitness and hunger for runs have made him one of the finest cricketers in the history of the game, while his bond with Rajkumar Sharma remains one of Indian cricket's most inspiring guru-shishya stories.

1. Sachin Tendulkar and Ramakant Achrekar

Sachin Tendulkar and Ramakant Achrekar

Sachin Tendulkar's legendary cricket career began under the guidance of his childhood coach, Ramakant Achrekar. At Mumbai's Shivaji Park, Achrekar helped Sachin develop his batting technique, discipline and mental strength. His coaching laid the foundation for one of the greatest careers in cricket history.

Ramakant Achrekar was one of India's most respected cricket coaches and mentored several international players during his career. He received the Dronacharya Award in 1990 and the Padma Shri in 2010 for his contribution to Indian cricket. Achrekar passed away in January 2019, but his legacy continues to inspire generations of cricketers.

Sachin went on to become the highest run-scorer in international cricket. He scored 34,357 runs in 664 international matches, including a record 100 international centuries. In Test cricket, he amassed 15,921 runs in 200 matches, while in ODIs he scored 18,426 runs in 463 matches, becoming the first male cricketer to hit a double century in the format. Their guru-shishya bond remains one of the most iconic in Indian cricket history.

Notable Mentions

Tarak Sinha and Rishabh Pant

Tarak Sinha and Rishabh Pant

Tarak Sinha was one of India's most respected cricket coaches and played a key role in shaping Rishabh Pant's early career. Pant has often spoken about the respect and gratitude he has for his mentor. Sinha coached at Delhi's famous Sonnet Cricket Club, which produced several international cricketers.

Apart from Pant, Tarak Sinha also mentored many well-known Indian players, including Ashish Nehra, Shikhar Dhawan, Aakash Chopra, Manoj Prabhakar, Atul Wassan, Ajay Sharma, Surinder Khanna, Sanjeev Sharma and Anjum Chopra. His contribution to Indian cricket earned him recognition as one of the country's finest coaches.

Yograj Singh and Yuvraj Singh

Yograj Singh and Yuvraj Singh

Yograj Singh played a major role in shaping the cricket career of his son, Yuvraj Singh. From a young age, he put Yuvraj through rigorous training sessions focused on batting, fitness and mental strength. His strict coaching helped Yuvraj develop the discipline and confidence needed to succeed at the highest level. Yuvraj later became one of India's greatest all-rounders and was one of the heroes of India's 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup-winning campaign, reflecting the values and determination his father instilled in him.

The guru-shishya tradition has always been an important part of Indian cricket. Behind every successful cricketer is a mentor who believed in their talent, guided them through difficult times and helped them become better players and individuals. These coach-player relationships show that success is built on trust, discipline and years of hard work.

From Sachin Tendulkar and Ramakant Achrekar to Virat Kohli and Rajkumar Sharma, and from Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Lad to the new-generation duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jwala Singh, these inspiring partnerships continue to motivate millions of cricket fans. On the occasion of Guru Purnima, these iconic guru-shishya bonds remind us that every great champion has a great teacher behind their journey.