Mumbai, Apr 24 (UNI) Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, who turns 35 today with the satisfaction of knowing that he lifted his game and saw India from the depths of the World Cup first round, exit to play a leading role in the campaigns in England and Australia.
One year ago the master batsman, considered to be among the all-time greats of the game and perhaps next only to Don Bradman in stature as a pure batsman, was distraught following India's early and shameful exit from the World Cup and celebrated his birthday quietly at his home with his family.
It was a dismal time for Indian cricket as a whole in the aftermath of the disastrous World Cup where the much-hype team led by Rahul Dravid was eliminated in the first round.
However, since then Tendulkar contributed mightily to the team's Test and ODI victory in Old Blighty as well as a first-ever triumph in the tri-series Down Under after helping India match the world champions step for step in the acrimonous Test series that they lost narrowly to the hosts after a rip-roaring battle.
The ace batsman, who in the process also increased his century count to 39 in Tests and 42 in ODIs, besides overtaking Sri Lankan ace Sanath Jayasuriya as the leading run-getter in the 50-over game, has truly bounced back in style after some critics wrote his epitaph in the aftermath of India's dismal display in the World Cup in the Caribbean.
The only dark spot surrounding Tendulkar's 35th birthday is that he is continuing to be troubled by his injury woes.
He has missed the first two matches in the ongoing Indian Premier League and has been unable to lead the Mumbai Indians team at two of his most favoured venues - Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium and Chennai's Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk.
A groin strain that he picked up when guiding India to a fantastic 2-0 triumph over Australia that got aggravated when he chose to play against South Africa at Chennai's Chapauk ground in the first Test last month, left him frustrated.
Unlike last year, this time he is celebrating his birthday on the cricketing road with his Mumbai Indians teammates who would be wishing fervently he gets back into action at the soonest and turns around the team's plunging fortunes after two straight defeats in the first two ties.
With the hectic schedule in store for the team post-IPL, he as well as millions of cricket fans must be praying on his birthday that he recovers fast from his groin injury and remains fit for the remainder of India's long and tough campaigns ahead.
UNI GS DB RKM DS1520
One year ago the master batsman, considered to be among the all-time greats of the game and perhaps next only to Don Bradman in stature as a pure batsman, was distraught following India's early and shameful exit from the World Cup and celebrated his birthday quietly at his home with his family.
It was a dismal time for Indian cricket as a whole in the aftermath of the disastrous World Cup where the much-hype team led by Rahul Dravid was eliminated in the first round.
However, since then Tendulkar contributed mightily to the team's Test and ODI victory in Old Blighty as well as a first-ever triumph in the tri-series Down Under after helping India match the world champions step for step in the acrimonous Test series that they lost narrowly to the hosts after a rip-roaring battle.
The ace batsman, who in the process also increased his century count to 39 in Tests and 42 in ODIs, besides overtaking Sri Lankan ace Sanath Jayasuriya as the leading run-getter in the 50-over game, has truly bounced back in style after some critics wrote his epitaph in the aftermath of India's dismal display in the World Cup in the Caribbean.
The only dark spot surrounding Tendulkar's 35th birthday is that he is continuing to be troubled by his injury woes.
He has missed the first two matches in the ongoing Indian Premier League and has been unable to lead the Mumbai Indians team at two of his most favoured venues - Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium and Chennai's Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk.
A groin strain that he picked up when guiding India to a fantastic 2-0 triumph over Australia that got aggravated when he chose to play against South Africa at Chennai's Chapauk ground in the first Test last month, left him frustrated.
Unlike last year, this time he is celebrating his birthday on the cricketing road with his Mumbai Indians teammates who would be wishing fervently he gets back into action at the soonest and turns around the team's plunging fortunes after two straight defeats in the first two ties.
With the hectic schedule in store for the team post-IPL, he as well as millions of cricket fans must be praying on his birthday that he recovers fast from his groin injury and remains fit for the remainder of India's long and tough campaigns ahead.
UNI GS DB RKM DS1520
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