Media and former cricketers united in celebrating Sachin Tendulkar’s 40th birthday on Wednesday as speculation continues over when the prolific batsman will end his international career.
Tendulkar, holder of most of the world’s batting records – including most runs and centuries in both Tests and one-day internationals – retired from limited-overs cricket last year but continues to play Tests despite watching contemporaries like Ricky Ponting, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman all step down over the past year.
Most leading Indian newspapers dedicated huge space to Tendulkar. Television channels broadcast programs dedicated to his achievements since his international debut in Pakistan as a 16-year-old in 1989.
Tendulkar, who last year became the first batsman to complete 100 international centuries during the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, has a total of 15,837 Test runs and 18,426 in one-dayers.
He has smashed 51 Test centuries and 49 in ODIs, and was also the first batsman to score a one-day double-century with 200 not out against South Africa at Gwalior in 2011.
The Little Master took little part in one-day cricket after achieving the lifelong ambition of winning a World Cup on his home ground of Wankhede Stadium at Mumbai in 2011.
Former Australian captain Greg Chappell, who also served as Indian coach, praised Tendulkar for his long career in a column in The Hindu newspaper.
“While crossing the age of 40 is no big deal for most people, it is a huge milestone in the life of a professional sportsman,” Chappell wrote.
“Not many reach that age and are still playing at the highest level; especially if they began their international career as a precocious 16-year-old.”
Tendulkar has often been compared with Australian batting great Don Bradman, but Chappell says Tendulkar probably carried more pressure through his career.
“No other player, not even Bradman, has endured greater scrutiny and higher expectations than Tendulkar, and none has delivered more often. My warmest birthday wishes and may the final stanza of his career play out as he deserves,” Chappell added.
In a column in The Times of India, World Cup-winning former Indian captain Kapil Dev said it was very tough to deal with his near-childlike presence in the dressing room.
“At that time, he was in the tenth standard (grade), I think. So, for me, he was just a baby,” Dev said.
“But what I liked about this young boy was that he had tremendous confidence in his cricket abilities.”
Spin bowling great Bishan Bedi congratulated Tendulkar for avoiding controversies despite his God-like status in India.
