New Delhi: Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar turned 44 today and was inundated with best wishes from the cricketing fraternity across the globe.
Wishes poured in for Tendulkar, whose birthday will be celebrated by his former IPL franchise Mumbai Indians later today.
Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli led the pack in wishing Tendulkar on the occasion.
“Happy B’day Paaji ????. May God bless you with more happiness and peace in life. My cricket hero always,” Kohli tweeted.
In his congratulatory message for Tendulkar, dashing Virender Sehwag wrote: “To a man who could stop time in India, #HappyBirthday Sachin @sachin_rt.”
Indian off-spinner R Ashwin quipped that April 24 could well be declared the ‘Indian Cricket Day’.
“Many more happy returns of the day @sachin_rt , April 24th should be marked as Indian cricket day. I was lucky to have played along side you,” he tweeted.
Current India coach Anil Kumble also wished the Little Master, tweeting “#HappyBirthdaySachin. One of the most inspiring sportsmen the world has seen. Hope you have a splendid year ahead @sachin_rt.”
Out of favour India opener and Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir wrote: “@sachin_rt may God Almighty continue to smile on you. A very happy birthday paaji, have a blast. #HappyBirthdaySachin”
“Happy birthday paaji @sachin_rt lots of love and best wishes khush raho tandrust raho (be happy, be well)..we love you,” Harbhajan Singh wrote on his twitter handle.
“Special day, special person and special celebration. May all your dreams and desires come true.Happy birthday Sachin @sachin_rt,” is what India pacer Umesh Yadav wrote in his congratulatory message.
“Happy B’day to a man who has touched an emotional chord with a billion people, a part of our lives forever, @sachin_rt#HappyBirthdaySachin,” former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif wrote in his congratulatory message.
Not just Indian cricketers, former Australia stalwarts also wished Tendulkar.
“Happy birthday @sachin_rt and @bowlologist,” tweeted Australian wicket-keeping legend Adam Gilchrist.
Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke wrote: “Happy bday to the great @sachin_rt, 44 years young today. Hope you have a great day and year to come mate!”
Promising batsman Rishabh Pant also wished Tendulkar on his birthday.
“Happy Birthday @sachin_rt sir. May keep inspiring millions like us for years to come,” he tweeted.
Indian boxing star Vijender Singh also took to social media to wish the batting great on his 44th birthday.
“Happy birthday God of cricket & BharatRatna @sachin_rt sir ????#HappyBirthdaySachin,” tweeted Vijender.
During his 24-year career, Tendulkar accumulated 34357 runs in international cricket, more than any other batsmen in the world. He holds the record of most runs in one-day internationals and Test cricket.
In ODIs, he has scored 18426 while in Tests he has 15921 runs.
After his retirement in 2013, Tendulkar received the Bharat Ratna award and became a Rajya Sabha MP. He also played in the Indian Premier League but stopped after the sixth season.
–PTI