'Happy birthday to Sachin Paaji! Legend forever'

The cricket fraternity took to Twitter on Thursday to convey their wishes to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar on his 41st birthday.

In fact, the legendary batsman himself started the day with a post on the social media.

"I have voted, have you? A wonderful start to my birthday, as a responsible citizen of our great nation," Tendulkar wrote on his Twitter page.

Having returned to Mumbai from the UAE, where the first phase of the Indian Premier League-7 is on, he first cast his vote and then celebrated his birthday with family and friends.

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India’s batting's mainstay Virat Kohli was among the early birds to wish the batting icon.

"Happy birthday to the man who inspired me to play this game. Happy birthday @sachin_rt paji! Legend forever," wrote Kohli, on his Twitter handle.

India opener Rohit Sharma, who still shares the dressing room with Tendulkar as a part of the Mumbai Indians’ team in the Indian Premier League, tweeted: "Happy birthday @sachin_rt wish you all the happiness. Really happy to still share the dressing room with you."

This is Tendulkar's first birthday since he quit all forms of cricket in November 2013 following his 200th and final Test at his home ground, Wankhede Stadium, against the West Indies.

The cricket icon is, however, still associated with the Mumbai Indians franchise as its team's mentor.

"Happy birthday to Sachin Paaji. May u have a peaceful and fun-filled life. God bless u," India discard Gautam Gambhir wrote.

Wishing his "God" happy birthday, Sreesanth said, "@sachin_rt Wishing my cricket God ..a very happy birthday..!!"

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Former England skipper Michael Vaughan also wished Test and ODI cricket's highest scorer.

"Happy Birthday @sachin_rt .. Celebrate in style.....," he wrote.

Sri Lankan cricketer Russel Arnold wrote: "Sachin Tendulkar turns 41 today... Happy Birthday... !!!! Have a good one and many more!!!."

Board of Control for Cricket in India vice-president Rajeev Shukla also extended his wishes to Tendulkar.

"May everyday bring something new and exciting for you. May this Birthday turn out to be as amazing as you .....," said Shukla.

Tendulkar hung up his boots after a glittering international career that saw him amass 15,921 runs in Tests, at an average of 53.78, and 18426 runs in 463 ODIs at an average of 44.83.

He scored 100 centuries during his career, with Test matches accounting for 51 of those, the most by any batsman in the world.