SACHIN, 44, SMASHING

Mumbai, April 24: Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar on Monday said that he could not believe he has turned 44 as he celebrated his birthday in front of thousands of adoring fans at the Wankhede Stadium here.

Tendulkar cut a cake during the IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiant as the stadium reverberated with chants of ‘happy birthday Sachin’.

Tendulkar is currently MI’s mentor and he played for the franchise for six seasons from 2008 to 2013.

Asked by former Australia opening batsman Matthew Hayden to cut the bat on top of the cake along with a ball, Tendulkar said, “You never cut a cricket bat... will cut the outfield to open up the gaps.”

“Being 44 is nice but also covering those 44 years (has been nice). My movie is probably coming out on May 26th and I have been busy these days to ensure how best it is launched. I can’t believe I am 44.”

The legendary batsman said that he never thought IPL would become so big as it is today when it was launched 10 years back. “The way it has taken off it’s remarkable. In these 10 years, people have become connected to their clubs and backing their players. Moreover, families have started attending matches. Now, it’s not about some male friends getting together, the wives and grandmothers have started taking interest,” he said.

“This is fast cricket and it is enjoyable as it is full of action. What this format has done is it has gone to countries where cricket does not exist,” he added.

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.

Virender Sehwag wrote “To a man who could stop time in India, #HappyBirthdaySachin @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.

Not just Indian cricketers, former Australia stalwarts also wished Tendulkar. “Happy birthday @sachin_rt and @bowlologist,” tweeted Australian 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.

You never cut a cricket bat... will cut the outfield to open up the gaps. — SACHIN TENDULKAR on being asked by IPL commentator Matthew Hayden to cut the bat on top of the cake along with a ball during the Mumbai vs Pune game

— PTI Sachin Tendulkar is offered a piece of cake by his wife Anjali as their son Arjun and daughter Sara look on during a birthday celebration at his residence in Mumbai on Monday.

PTI Sachin Tendulkar is greeted by his fans as security men struggle to contain them on his 44th birthday at his residence in Mumbai on Monday. —

With his face smeared with cake, Sachin Tendulkar poses with his friend and former Andhra cricketer-administrator V. Chamundeswarnath on Monday. At the right is a cake themed on the batting legend’s biopic that will be released next month.