Tarak Sinha, the cricket coach with most number of international and first-class cricketers among his disciples, died on Saturday morning after prolonged illness. He was 71 and was suffering from lung cancer.

A bachelor, Sinha is survived by his sister and hundreds of students and well wishers, whose lives became better due to his positive presence.

Sinha was a father figure in Delhi’s famous Sonnet Club, which has produced some of the country’s finest cricketers, who ruled domestic and international cricket.

Condoling his death, India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who is currently in the UAE for the T20 World Cup, said he will carry him in his heart whenever he steps on to the field. “My mentor, coach, motivator, my biggest critic and my greatest fan. You took care of me like your son, I am devastated. You will always be with me whenever I walk out onto the field. My heartfelt condolences & prayers. May your soul rest in peace, Tarak sir,” tweeted Pant.

The 24-year-old was Sinha’s one of the brightest pupils. He was actively coached by Sinha’s longtime assistant Devender Sharma.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag said he was deeply pained by the loss. “Feel a lot of pain on the demise of passing away of Ustaad ji #TarakSinha. He was one of the rare coaches who gave India more than a dozen Test Cricketers & the values he inculcated in his students helped Indian cricket immensely. Condolences to his family and students,” he tweeted.