Tendulkar146;s birthday becomes IPL sideshow

For most 30-plus family men, a birthday celebration away from home is a low key affair. But Sachin Tendulkar can8217;t afford such luxuries. At Chennai today, he woke up on his 35th birthday to a media frenzy, a surprise party by his Mumbai Indians team mates and a cake cutting ceremony that was telecast live on national television.

Bemused Mumbai Indians imports Shaun Pollock and Ashley Prince sang 8216;happy birthday8217; for the cameras in Chennai, his fans did the same during the Hyderabad game and by evening, Tendulkar8217;s birthday had turned into an IPL sideshow. Reporters covering the event spent the day gathering celebrity wishes. In Hyderabad, Chaminda Vaas, Scott Styris and Herschelle Gibbs couldn8217;t say no when they found themselves in front of the camera: Will you wish Tendulkar on his birthday? Even umpire Asad Rauf was seen smiling at the camera, wishing the master batsman as well.

Even Tendulkar, who for most of his life has lived in the media glare, was overwhelmed by the attention. 8220;I am grateful to all my fans. Obviously this day is special to me, like every birthday. I normally prefer to celebrate my birthday with my family alone but this is a great feeling. I have been getting text messages from players all over the world, and it8217;s a great feeling,8221; Tendulkar said when he reached Mohali.

Interestingly, two of Tendulkar8217;s Mumbai Indian team mates 8212; Vikram Yelegati and Luke Ronchi 8212; are born on April 24 as well. They stood next to the man of moment at the party, soaking in some of the deflected attention.