God of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar announces retirement from IPL

Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after Mumbai Indians' maiden title win.

'Never too late. It's a special moment. I can't wait to get hold of the trophy. Finally, we've been able to achieve our target. A big thank you to all the supporters. I think this is the right time to stop playing this tournament. I'm 40 and have to accept the reality. I have decided that this is my last season and it has ended perfectly. All the hard work has played off. Things don't come easily and the guys were prepared to do well.

Really a very sad news for the millions fans around this globe .....  But God Already Decided .... we cant do any more ... Miss u Sachin

God Of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar sets record for maximum fours in IPL history

Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar may not have set this IPL season on fire but his 48 off 28 balls on Tuesday was enough for Mumbai Indians to end Kolkata Knight Riders' play-off hopes and brighten their own chances of reaching the knockout phase.



* With eight fours during his innings of 48 off 28 balls, Sachin Tendulkar has set a record for most fours (289) at the IPL.

* Tendulkar's strike rate of 171.42 is his second best at the IPL (minimum qualification: 50), behind the 196.88 while scoring 63 off 32 balls against Delhi Daredevils at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi on March 17, 2010.

* Tendulkar has received his eighth Man-of-the-Match award in the IPL.

Happy Birthday God of Cricket

The Little Master Sachin Tendulkar turns 40 today. In an incredible 24-year journey in international cricket, Tendulkar thanks his family for its support and the fans for making him what he is, a genius!

Sachin Tendulkar’s birthday is a special time to celebrate that god gifted him to the world for cricket. God knew cricket game after he born in this world. He you touched our heart. You’re a gifted by god to the entire Cricket world.

All the best for the Master’s 40th birthday....

Stepping in with God Of Crciket Sachin will be different: Ricky Ponting

BANGALORE: In a rare spectacle, God of cricket Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting on Monday found themselves training for the same team with the former Australian captain glued to the batting grind of his Mumbai Indians teammate ahead of their side's IPL campaign.

Tendulkar, had a two-hour long batting stint at the National Cricket Academy with captain Ponting keeping a close watch on him ahead of MI's IPL campaign opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 4.

Sachin Tendulkar spent the longest time at the nets while Ponting, Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik batted for under 45 minutes.

A padded up Tendulkar faced the throwdowns with straight bat for nearly 20 minutes on the NCA centre pitch, while Ponting exhibited his array of strokes, including his trademark pull shots.

Once Ricky Ponting decided to wind up, Tendulkar, wielding two different bats, slipped into the nets and faced Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha who were bowling in tandem. The veteran batsman concentrated on playing more with the straight bat on either side of the wicket.

Occasionally, he unleashed his trademark shots like backfoot punch and hoick over square-leg fielder. He also constantly chatted with Harbhajan and Ojha.

While Tendulkar was playing his strokes at the nets, Ponting was studiously watching the veteran Indian bat for close to an hour, a spectacle which turned out to be a treat to watch for those present.

Ponting was also seen having animated discussions with Harbhajan and other teammates and MI chief-mentor and former India captain Anil Kumble.

After facing the likes of Harbhajan and Ojha, Tendulkar picked up his other bat and walked up to the adjacent net to face club bowlers. While his teammates took some time to rest, he went on knocking the balls.

On the other corner, Karthik faced the throwdowns on the concrete pitch focusing to get his cover drives and short-arm pull shots right.

Rohit padded then up and faced the throwdowns on the centre pitch to test his wrist-work on either side of the wicket.

Fan touches Sachin Tendulkar's feet

For fans in India, Sachin Tendulkar is "God of cricket." Whenever Tendulkar plays, fans follow every detail of his batting innings, be it a domestic game or international. On Sunday, when the Master Blaster reached to his century in Ranji Trophy quarter-finals against Baroda at Wankhede Stadium, a fan made a long trip from the stands to the pitch just to touch the feet of Tendulkar.

Tendulkar himself had said that he doesn't feel comfortable when fans touch his feet. A few years back, in an interview published in "OK!" magazine, he had this to say: "I used to receive letters written in blood...but not any more. It feels strange when a fan comes and touches your feet and says you are God. I don't feel comfortable with it, but it is the way they feel about you...that happened again just a couple of weeks ago actually."

The 39-year-old had to spend some awkward time on Sunday too when a fan touched his feet. Before the umpires could intervene and chase the fan away, the moment was captured on TV and by the shutterbugs at the stadium. Tendulkar resumed his innings and was bowled for 108, his 80th first-class century. This was his first game since retiring from One Day Internationals and he hit form ahead of Australia Test series. Fans are happy to see the Master back.