The Closest Thing to Heaven on Earth is Kashmir: says, Sachin Tendulkar. After an exciting family holiday in Kashmir, where he visited Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Aman Setu, and a bat factory, legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar has flown home. He was impressed by Kashmir, but everywhere he went with his wife and daughter, the people there greeted him with open arms.

Sharing a video clip of himself flying home over the Himalayas in Kashmir, Tendulkar wrote, “Kashmir is the closest thing to heaven on earth.” This declaration expressed Tendulkar’s respect for the picturesque location while also highlighting the area’s natural beauty. On February 17, 2024, legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar visited a bat manufacturing facility in Charsoo, Pulwama, with his wife and daughter.

Tendulkar’s trip to Kashmir, accompanied by his wife Anjali and daughter Sara, went beyond simple sightseeing. While touring a bat production facility in Charsoo, Pulwama, on his way to Pahalgam, he lost himself in nostalgia and thought back to the first Kashmir willow bat he had ever owned—a gift from his sister. He posted on Twitter, “My sister gave me my first bat, which was a Kashmir willow bat.” “Kashmir willow ko to milna banta hai ab main yahan hoon!” His interactions with the labourers gave Kashmir’s renowned willow industry new life and provided a ray of hope and renewal.

Tendulkar’s itinerary combined sport, history, and diplomacy, from playing gully cricket near Aman Setu, a bridge that unites the two halves of divided Kashmir, to spending several days in Gulmarg, the region’s winter paradise. During the Khelo India Winter Games 2024 being held in Gulmarg, the famous cricket player also spent some time riding a snow bike. His interactions with the armed forces demonstrated his even greater regard for those who serve.

Tendulkar played street cricket as a touching gesture, showing off his perfect timing and even taking some unusual shots to amuse onlookers. He shared happy moments with the people, demonstrating his strong connection to the area and solidifying his reputation as a beloved figure who transcends boundaries in addition to being a cricketing icon.

Tedulakr and several boys can be seen playing roadside cricket in the video, which was taken in the vicinity of north Kashmir. Sachin can be seen asking, “Hum khelein? (Can I play as well?)” to people who are playing cricket on the street in a video that he posted on his social media accounts.

The boys observed Tendulkar’s footwork and shot selection with great interest. Sachin was also observed holding his bat upside down and daring the bowler to get him on the final ball. The legendary batsman, though, managed to block the final ball with his bat handle and the bowler was unable to remove him.

As the video of his street cricket adventure went viral, Tendulkar’s humility and sincere passion for the game won over fans. His visit served as a reminder of the ability of sport to inspire and bring people together in addition to revitalizing Kashmir’s cricketing culture.

The internet went crazy when a video of Tendulkar traveling in economy class on an IndiGo flight showed how excited the other passengers were to be in the same cabin as the legendary cricket player.

In the video, the legendary batsman is seen politely responding to the enthusiastic fans’ yells of “Sachin-Sachin” and cheers. Wearing a lowly purple shirt, Tendulkar’s warmth struck a chord with the passengers, signifying his lasting bond with cricket enthusiasts.

It was Tendulkar’s first trip to the Kashmir region. After his official retirement from cricket in November 2013, the visit arrived too late.