NEW DELHI: As Rohit Sharma turned 39 on Thursday, it was an emotional note from wife Ritika Sajdeh that stood out amid a flood of wishes from across the cricketing world.Taking to Instagram, Ritika penned a heartfelt message that quickly resonated with fans. “Happy happy birthday, my Ro. I’ve spent every year saying you’re my best friend, my soulmate, and the best part of us, and this year is no different. To many more lifetimes of everything we have in this one and more,” she wrote.The post, filled with warmth and affection, went viral within minutes, offering a glimpse into the personal side of one of India’s most celebrated cricketers.MI’s dressing room celebration adds to the joyThe celebrations didn’t stop on social media. Mumbai Indians shared a lively video from the dressing room, capturing Rohit cutting his birthday cake surrounded by teammates. Ritika was also present, standing beside him as players smeared cake on his face in a light-hearted celebration.The video quickly gained traction online, with fans enjoying the candid moment featuring the former Mumbai Indians skipper sharing laughs with his squad.Tributes pour in from cricket fraternityBirthday wishes poured in from across the cricketing fraternity. The Board of Control for Cricket in India highlighted Rohit’s remarkable career, noting his 500-plus international appearances and over 20,000 runs, along with his achievements as a World Cup-winning captain.Former opening partner Shikhar Dhawan reminisced about their successful partnership, while Suresh Raina hailed him as “one of the finest to ever play the game.” Messages also came in from Irfan Pathan and Mohammed Shami, underlining the respect Rohit commands in the cricketing community.A legacy that continues to growWidely regarded as a modern-day white-ball great, Rohit has built a stellar career since his debut in 2007. He led India to major ICC titles, including the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the Champions Trophy in 2025, cementing his legacy as a successful leader.At the franchise level, his captaincy transformed Mumbai Indians into one of the most dominant teams in IPL history, guiding them to five titles.Though he has stepped away from Tests and T20Is, Rohit continues to represent India in ODIs and remains an integral part of the IPL.
