Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim Jaffer, Ajit Agarkar and Zaheer Khan have been picked in the 31-member team.
The Delhi batsman said Sourav Ganguly had supported players like him, Yuvraj Singh and Mohammed Kaif early in their career
Tendulkar and his elder brother Ajit have time and again recalled how Achrekar would stand behind trees and watch Tendulkar bat to let him play freely.
A newspaper report said the Team India coach wanted Ajit Agarkar instead.
Young Shubman Gill was back in form with an unbeaten 66 after India 'A' bowlers set the platform, dismissing South Africa 'A' for 164 on the first day of the Unofficial Test.
The Indian captain said the team could have probably spared themselves and the fans the heart-stopping moments towards the end.
India's captain said the team is looking to improve its batting in the first 15 overs and also cut down on the number of extras.
Venugopal Rao and VRV Singh were included in India's playing eleven for the sixth ODI against England.
Ashish Nehra, who pulled out due to a back injury, will be replaced by Ajit Agarkar.
The 15-member squad included under-19 spinner Piyush Chawla and pacer S Sreesanth.
West Zone, without Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan and Irfan Pathan will take on East Zone in the Deodhar trophy on Sunday.
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq won the toss and elected to bat in the first Test against India.
The players' group has suggested a few options like having a short-term contract only for the duration of the IPL, so the cricketer is free to do commentary or coaching assignment for the rest of the year.
Former Australia speedster Dennis Lillee said some 'Sikh boys and a few others are really good and look to be long-term future prospects'.
Mumbai's captain Sairaj Bahutule will be leading the Borad President's XI against the South Africans.
Rohit Sharma won the prestigious Maruti Suzuki ESPN Cricinfo award for the third year in a row.
'I remember on occasions where I lay in my room feeling the despair. It (mental health issue) is real, it is part of all sport and it is coming to the fore now with a lot more aggression. Players are at least standing up and saying 'I need to just remove myself, fight myself and comeback again'
Rohan Gavaskar, Dinesh Karthik and Ajit Agarkar have been named in the 15-man squad for the Holland tri-series and NatWest Challenge.
The team management is contemplating another back-up because of the fear of sudden injury to any of its fast bowlers.
'In the future, you will get pacers who will bowl even faster than the current lot because these guys are currently setting new standards.'
The Mumbai off-spinner took five for 66 to restrict Gujarat to 210 for eight on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy match.
Mumbai's seam attack had Madhya Pradesh reeling at 164 for 7 at stumps on day 1 in the Elite Ranji Trophy league match.
Ajit Agarkar believes in being prepared when opportunity presents itself. Irfan Pathan's side strain has given him a chance to return to the team.
All-rounder Rohan Gavaskar, who toured Australia, was dropped from the 15-member squad for the one-day series against Pakistan.
The Mumbai off-spinner said his ability to score runs in crunch situations down the order won him selection to the India one-day team.
The Indian skipper is desperate to end his prolonged lean patch with the bat.
India skipper Sourav Ganguly says the Baroda fast bowler is not bowling well and needs some time to get back his rhythm.
The West Zone spinner claimed 7 wickets for 44 runs to dismiss South Zone for 187 on the opening day of the four-day Duleep Trophy match.
Half centuries by Wasim Jaffer and Amol Muzumdar helped Mumbai take a 18-run first innings lead over Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy match.
