'A pioneer and icon!' - Wishes pour in as PM Narendra Modi turns 73

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is celebrating his 73rd birthday on Sunday, September 17. He has been a sports addict for a long time and shares a great relationship with sportspersons not only in India but also around the world.

He is also an avid cricket follower, and every now and then, he shares his reactions to some of India's iconic performances on his 'X' (formerly known as Twitter) handle. He also tries to take time out from his schedule and turn up for some of India's matches. The cricketers also admire him for his passion for the sport and they sent their special birthday wishes through social media for the honourable Prime Minister.

'Modi Ji', as he is fondly called, was born in 1950 in Gujarat’s Mehsana district. He is currently on his second stint as India’s Prime Minister. He also has the biggest cricket stadium in the world named after him in Ahmedabad. The stadium can host up to 1,32,000 spectators and has already hosted many international matches including Tests, ODIs, T20Is, and even IPL games.

Some of the most important matches of the upcoming edition of the ODI World Cup will also be held at the colossal stadium. This includes the opening encounter between defending champions England and New Zealand, the high-voltage India versus Pakistan clash, and also the all-important final.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 73

The legendary Sachin Tendulkar took to his 'X' handle and wished a healthy and happy year for the Prime Minister.

"जन्मदिन की शुभकामनाएं माननीय प्रधानमंत्री @narendramodi जी।
Wishing you a healthy and happy year ahead."

Former England player Kevin Pietersen put out a brilliant tweet in Hindi and called Narendra Modi a pioneer and an icon.

" महान @narendramodi को जन्मदिन की शुभकामनाएं, जिनका वन वर्ल्ड मैसेजिंग इस मामले में अग्रणी प्रकाश है कि राष्ट्राध्यक्षों को दुनिया को कैसे देखना चाहिए। एक अग्रणी एवं प्रतीक!" (Happy birthday to the great @narendramodi, whose One World Messaging is a leading light on how heads of state should see the world. A pioneer and icon!).

Other renowned cricketers like Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Mithali Raj, Shikhar Dhawan, and many more wished the Indian Prime Minister on his special day.

Here is how cricketers wished PM Modi on his birthday