Wishing Sachin Tendulkar [Images] on his 33rd birthday, dashing left-hander Yuvraj Singh [Images] on Monday said he missed the batting legend in the Indian dressing room.

"When I first came into the team, I was afraid to go and talk to him (Tendulkar). But he came up and talked and made me feel comfortable. Over the years our friendship has grown but still I retain the respect for him. I miss him in the team," the Punjab batsman said.

Tendulkar has been out of action since March 26 when he underwent a surgery on his right shoulder. He will miss the one-day series of the West Indies [Images] tour next month and his availability for the Test series will be known after his fitness is assessed on May 10.

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"He is 33 and still young. I wish him a very happy birthday. We all like to see him back in action and perform soon," the middle-order batsman said.

Yuvraj said he had a long way to go to be talked in the same breath as the Indian superstar.

"It is too early to compare me with Sachin. I am not even half way through to the point where he stands now," he said.