Mumbai : Batting icon Sachin Tendulkar turned 39 on Tuesday and will celebrate the occasion with a simple cake cutting function with his family and Mumbai Indians teammates later in the evening at the team hotel in Chandigarh.

Even though Tendulkar has no special plans up his sleeve for his birthday, his Mumbai Indians teammates have planned a cake cutting ceremony in the evening after returning to the hotel from the practice session at the PCA stadium in Mohali ahead of their IPL match against Kings XI Punjab on Wednesday.

Tendulkar, his wife Anjali along with Mumbai Indians team members reached Chandigarh on Monday by an afternoon flight from Mumbai.

“Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes. I am grateful to God. I appreciate the love I have received over the years from my fans, players and well-wishers,” Tendulkar told the media.

The five star hotel where Mumbai Indians team is staying have made arrangements on their own to throw a party to celebrate Tendulkar’s birthday, his first after scoring his 100th international ton.

But the event is likely to be a low-key affair in which Mumbai Indians team owner Nita Ambani is also likely to be present.

“We are ready with our arrangements, but so far there is no word from Tendulkar’s side,” a senior official of the hotel, JW Marriott told agency.

Tendulkar releases book on him published by The Hindu group

Sachin Tendulkar has released a book published on him by The Hindu group of publications at a function in Chandigarh at the Mumbai Indians team hotel.

Titled ‘Sachin – A Tribute To The Legend,’ is a fine collection of all the published reports of all the matches in which Tendulkar scored his 100 international tons.

Besides, it has some rare pictures of the veteran batsman and a range of interesting statistics.

Tendulkar expressed his gratitude to the newspaper after releasing the book on his 39th birthday.

“It gives me immense pleasure to launch this book. All the efforts taken by The Hindu mean a lot to me. Over the years I have made lot of friends and they are dear ones.”

“Our friendship has grown in a similar manner as The Hindu has grown. I cherish each and every moment I have shared with them,” said Tendulkar flanked by MI coach Robin Singh and captain Harbhajan Singh.

The book was conceptualised after Tendulkar scored his 100th international century in the Asia Cup against Bangladesh in Mirpur on 16th March.

“Reading various articles and opinions (in The Hindu) has played an important role in my career. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for putting this book together in a matter of few weeks. It’s a mammoth effort and thank you very much,” said Tendulkar.

The CEO of The Hindu group, Arun Anant, in a letter explained the concept behind publishing the book.

“We thought this would be a fine gesture to have this book released by you on your birthday, April 24. We feel that this book will be a fitting tribute to your unparalleled contribution to the game, making India and the international cricket community proud,” said Anant.