Mumbai: The iconic Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday celebrated his 43rd birthday by playing cricket with children from the 'Make-A-Wish India' organisation in the city, even as the fraternity wished him and waxed eloquence.
Tendulkar spent some time with the children, teaching them the basics of batting, bowling and fielding at the MIG Club. He posted the same on his official Facebook page.
Tendulkar retired from all forms of cricket in November 2013 during the Test match against West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium.
As he stepped into his 43rd year, wishes started to pour in on Twitter.
"Many happy returns of the day champion @sachin_rt have a blessed year!" former India captain and long time teammate Anil Kumble wrote on his Twitter handle.
Many happy returns of the day champion @sachin_rt have a blessed year!
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) April 24, 2016
India opener Shikhar Dhawan said, "Happy Birthday Paaji! There never was, and never will be another Sachin!"
.@sachin_rt Happy Birthday Paaji! There never was, and never will be another Sachin! pic.twitter.com/QV95DteKDL
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) April 24, 2016
BCCI bigwigs - secretary Anurag Thakur and IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla - were not to be left behind. "Happy birthday to one and only @sachin_rt . Wishing you lots of happiness and good health," Thakur said.
Happy birthday to one and only @sachin_rt . Wishing you lots of happiness and good health. #SRT43
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) April 24, 2016
Shukla wrote, "Happy birthday Sachin . May God give u more strength to serve cricket&also duties of an mp."
Happy birthday Sachin . May God give u more strength to serve cricket&also duties of an mp
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) April 24, 2016
Suresh Raina said, "Happy birthday @sachin_rt the best man I know on and off the field. Wishing you health and success always."
Happy birthday @sachin_rt the best man I know on and off the field. Wishing you health and success always, #HappyBirthdaySachin #greatmanðŸ™ðŸ‘
— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) April 24, 2016
Pacer S Sreesanth said, "respected Sachin Paaji ,may u have the best birthday ever, ..honour knowing you ,love and respect alwys."
@sachin_rt respected Sachin Paaji....wishing u a very best happy birthday pic.twitter.com/ra7dLJKCiS
— Sreesanth (@sreesanth36) April 24, 2016
@sachin_rt respected Sachin Paaji ,may u have the best birthday ever, ..honour knowing you ,love and respect alwys pic.twitter.com/pv46Pg6AHr
— Sreesanth (@sreesanth36) April 24, 2016
Former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq also wished the batting maestro who has amassed 15921 runs in 200 Tests and 18426 runs in 463 ODIs. "Have a wonderful day brother @sachin_rt . God bless you," Saqlain said.
Have a wonderful day brother @sachin_rt . God bless you
— Saqlain Mushtaq (@Saqlain_Mushtaq) April 24, 2016
Here's wishing @sachin_rt a very happy birthday #HappyBirthdaySachin pic.twitter.com/4xrGaRzg2X
— BCCI (@BCCI) April 24, 2016
A day embarked in the memory and hearts of every Indian. Salute to the legend! #HappyBirthdaySachin @sachin_rt #DilSeIndian
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 23, 2016
Happy Birthday @sachin_rt - the man who made watching cricket a joy for every Indian. #HappyBirthdaySachin pic.twitter.com/1vtRtGOaru
— Mohammad Kaif (@KaifSays) April 24, 2016
A very happy birthday to the most humble and forever young @sachin_rt .. Much love always pic.twitter.com/YrBE8bLJIM
— Harbhajan Singh (@harbhajan_singh) April 23, 2016
The good wishes were not just restricted to cricket.
"Happy Birthday to @sachin_rt #LivingLegend #respect #love God bless sir," said star boxer Vijender Singh.
Happy Birthday to @sachin_rt #LivingLegend #respect #love God bless sir ðŸ™ðŸ½ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡³ pic.twitter.com/YPkq9OmmiC
— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) April 23, 2016
All India Football Federation president Praful Patel wrote, "Wishing the cricket legend @sachin_rt a very Happy Birthday. May almighty bless him always."
Wishing the cricket legend @sachin_rt a very Happy Birthday. May almighty bless him always. #HappyBirthdaySachin
— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) April 24, 2016
The Indian Super League said, "Best wishes to @KBFCOfficial owner and cricketing great, @sachin_rt on his birthday!"
Best wishes to @KBFCOfficial owner and cricketing great, @sachin_rt on his birthday! #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/0y3JpZFj5R
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) April 24, 2016
Tendulkar is the leading run-scorer in Tests and ODIs. He is the only cricketer to have hit 100 international centuries, and the first to score a double century in ODIs.
Tendulkar received India's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna from the President Pranab Mukherjee in 2014. He is the youngest recipient to date and the first ever sportsperson to receive the award.
