Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]: On his 52nd birthday, cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar received heartfelt wishes from across the cricket world, with former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and batting mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara leading the tributes.
Taking to social media platform X, Ganguly extended warm wishes to his former teammate and longtime opening partner:
“Happy Birthday, Sachin! Wishing you a fantastic year ahead filled with happiness and good health. From our opening partnerships to countless memories on and off the field, it’s been an incredible journey. Your dedication, discipline, and humility continue to inspire millions.”
Happy birthday @sachin_rt Paaji, I am one of the few lucky ones who got the chance to share the crease with you and witness your greatness from the non-strikers end. Wishing you a great day and year ahead! pic.twitter.com/IF3vSla9PO
— Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) April 24, 2025
Pujara, who once shared the crease with Tendulkar during the legendary batsman’s later years, also expressed his admiration:
“Happy birthday @sachin_rt Paaji. I am one of the few lucky ones who got the chance to share the crease with you and witness your greatness from the non-striker’s end. Wishing you a great day and year ahead!”
A Legacy That Transcends Generations
Tendulkar’s influence stretches far beyond the cricket field. Revered as the ‘Master Blaster’ and ‘God of Cricket’, his career helped transform the sport, bringing unmatched popularity, passion, and global appeal. From budding cricketers like Virat Kohli to international greats such as Steve Smith and Joe Root, many modern icons cite Tendulkar as their inspiration.
Record-Breaking Career Highlights:
- 664 international appearances, scoring 34,357 runs at an average of 48.52
- The only player to score 100 international centuries (51 in Tests, 49 in ODIs)
- Holds the record for most runs in Tests (15,921) and ODIs (18,426)
- First-ever double century in ODIs (vs. South Africa, 2010)
- Part of India’s 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup-winning squad, finishing as India’s top scorer in the tournament
- All-time leading run-scorer in Cricket World Cup history with 2,278 runs
- Played 200 Test matches, a feat unmatched by any other player
Though Tendulkar featured in only one T20I, he left a significant impact in the IPL with Mumbai Indians, scoring 2,334 runs in 78 matches. He won the Orange Cap in 2010 and was part of MI’s title-winning team in 2013.
His final bow came in November 2013, fittingly at Wankhede Stadium, where a career that spanned over two decades came full circle—ending where the boy wonder had first dreamt of cricketing greatness.
Celebrating a Legend
As the cricketing world and millions of fans celebrate Tendulkar’s birthday, it’s a moment to reflect on not just the numbers, but the emotions, hopes, and dreams he inspired. From his first Test match as a 16-year-old in 1989 to lifting the World Cup in 2011, Sachin remains the benchmark of cricketing excellence.