Durban, April 24 (Inditop) Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar celebrated his 36th birthday here Friday with India team mates Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and his first captain Kris Srikkanth.
The surprise birthday bash was thrown by Mumbai Indians at the team hotel and it was attended by Indian players and other top international stars taking part in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The Mumbai Indians captain, who started his international career in 1989-90, as a teenager said that he still feels like 16.
“I feel like 16. I think it’s the good wishes and blessings that count,” Tendulkar said after cutting his birthday cake.
Both Yuvraj and Harbhajan joined the party by smearing the cake on Tendulkar’s face.
In the course of two-decade long international career Tendulkar has broken many records and was compared to the legendary Don Bradman by the Australian himself.
Asked how he felt after coming across many milestones in his career, Tendulkar said: “It’s not about breaking records. It’s about winning matches. It’s a terrific feeling to win and that’s what matters.”
Tendulkar has made 85 centuries and scored over 29,000 runs in international cricket. But his only regret is India not winning a World Cup with him as team member.
But he said that India has a strong chance of winning the 2011 World Cup, which he plans to play.
“Statistics are merely a reflection of an individual’s contribution to the team. Ultimately it’s a team sport and though individual performances matter, it’s more about winning matches,” Tendulkar said.
rounak