Indian cricket legend 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 in Mumbai on Monday.
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 26 May and I have been busy these days to ensure it gets launched in the best way. I can’t believe I am 44.Sachin Tendulkar
The legendary batsman said that he never thought IPL would become so big as it is today when it was launched 10 years back.
I never thought it will become so big. 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 the matches. Now, it’s not about some male friends getting together, the wives and grandmothers have started taking interest. That is what IPL is all about, celebrating cricket. This is fast cricket and it is enjoyable as it is full of action. What this format has done is that it has gone to countries where cricket does not exist.Sachin Tendulkar
(With inputs from PTI)
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