Ritika's heartfelt birthday tribute to husband Rohit Sharma on his 39th
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Rohit Sharma, India's two-time ICC title-winning captain and widely regarded as cricket's 'Hitman', turned 39 on Thursday, 30 April, drawing an outpouring of tributes from teammates, franchises, and fans worldwide. His wife Ritika Sajdeh marked the occasion with an emotional Instagram post that underscored their bond.
Ritika wrote: "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." The message resonated across social platforms, with the couple's celebration also shared by the Mumbai Indians, who posted footage of teammates and Ritika smearing cake on the captain's face in the dressing room.
A career defined by records and titles
Since his international debut in 2007, Rohit Sharma has amassed over 20,000 international runs across 508 international matches. As captain, he led India to victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. He also holds the distinction of being international cricket's highest six-hitter, a testament to his aggressive batting approach in the white-ball format.
IPL dominance and franchise legacy
At the franchise level, Rohit has cemented himself as one of the most successful captains in cricket history. Leading the Mumbai Indians, he has secured five Indian Premier League titles, making the franchise one of the tournament's most dominant outfits. He remains an active participant in the current IPL season, though he has retired from Test and T20 International cricket.
Tributes from the cricket fraternity
The Board of Control for Cricket in India posted: "508 int'l matches, More than 20,000 int'l runs, ICC Men's T20 WC 2007 winner, Winning Captain of ICC Men's T20 WC 2024 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Here's wishing #TeamIndia great Rohit Sharma a very happy birthday."
Shikhar Dhawan, his former opening partner with whom he formed one of India's most prolific opening pairs, wrote on X: "Happy Birthday @ImRo45, from opening together to all the laughs in between….always special. Have a great one, brother."
Suresh Raina hailed him as "one of the finest to ever play the game," posting: "Happy Birthday, brotherman, @ImRo45. A true match-winner and one of the finest to ever play the game. Wishing you lots of success, happiness, and many more big knocks ahead! Have a great one, brother!" Irfan Pathan acknowledged his leadership, writing: "Wishing a very happy birthday to the leader who led from the front and earned the respect of his teammates." Mohammad Shami posted on Instagram: "Many happy returns of the day bhai, May this year bring peace and success."
Life beyond cricket
Rohit's personal life has drawn admiration alongside his on-field achievements. His marriage to Ritika, a sports manager and former tennis player, has been a subject of public affection. The couple's visible bond—evident in Ritika's birthday message and her presence in team celebrations—reflects a partnership that has endured through his demanding cricket career.