Sachin Tendulkar's residence in Mumbai has been given additional security as news of his retirement from Test cricket on Thursday spread, leading to fans and mediapersons swelling in numbers outside.
The house on Perry Cross road in Bandra West has been given extra police protection while state reserve police has also been called in. It is believed to be more of a precautionary measure as fans are expected in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the legendary cricketer.
Tendulkar - believed to be at his home at the time of filing this report - announced his retirement through a media release issued by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. "All my life, I have had a dream of playing cricket for India. I have been living this dream every day for the last 24 years. It's hard for me to imagine a life without playing cricket because it's all I have ever done since I was 11 years old," he wrote.
Though the Master Blaster has still not appeared before the media, he graciously sent cups of hot tea for media persons waiting outside.
While reactions have been pouring in from current and former cricketers as well as other celebrities, the common fans - who truly defined the aura of the cricketer - are the true admirers and many in the city are expected to reach his residence.