Arguably cricket's biggest icon, Sachin Tendulkar turned 36 on Friday and said he still feels like a boy of 16.
The right-hander, bracketed in the same league with the legendary Don Bradman, is currently leading the Mumbai Indians in the ongoing Indian Premier League in South Africa.
"I feel like 16. I think it's the good wishes and blessings that count," he 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 said after cutting the birthday cake in company of his Mumbai Indians teammates.
Worshipped in India and equally revered across the world, Tendulkar made his debut at 16 against Pakistan before growing into a batsman who has given nightmares to bowlers across the cricketing globe.
Tendulkar said his career stats, which show more than 12,000 Test and over 16,000 ODI runs don't matter much in comparison to being part of a winning team.
"Stats 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," he said.
Tendulkar will be joined by his wife and kids in the birthday celebrations here in Durban.
His childhood coach Ramakant Achrekar on Thursday said nothing has changed in his iconic ward in last over two decades, not even his style of playing.
"He used to attack and still go after the bowlers. He never got terrorised by any bowler in the world. What has changed, nothing. He is still like this," Achrekar told PTI-Bhasha on the eve of Tendulkar's birthday.
"He is the same Sachin for me. He is very busy but never forgets to meet me and talk about cricket, cricket and cricket. Cricket is his passion and I wish him on his birthday that this passion remains the same," he said.
The 78-year-old Archrekar felt Tendulkar, who debuted as 16-year-old in 1989, could play in the 2011 World Cup.
"He can play World Cup 2011. He has one unfulfilled dream to win the World Cup. So is mine," said the coach.
Tendulkar is the world's leading run scorer with 12,773 runs from 159 Tests and 16,684 in 425 ODI, besides holding an umpteen number of cricketing records.
Tendulkar, who was recently immortalised in the Madam Tussaud's wax museum, had said he had three teachers in his life -- his father, brother and coach Achrekar.
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