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The cricketing fraternity on Saturday condoled the sad demise of Bal Thackeray with fellow Maharashtrian Sachin Tendulkar leading the pack, saying the Shiv Sena patriarch will "always be remembered and missed".
Tendulkar said Thackeray's demise is a "terrible loss" for Maharashtra and he would have personally liked to pay his last respects to the Shiv Sena supremo had he not been playing in the first cricket Test against England in Ahmedabad.
"Really sad to hear about Balasaheb's demise. His contribution to Maharashtra was immense. It's a terrible loss and he will always be remembered and missed," Tendulkar said in a message on his Facebook page.
"Unfortunately I am in Ahmedabad as I would have liked to pay my last respects personally. My condolences to his family. May God rest his soul in peace," he added.
The 86-year-old cartoonist-turned politician, Thackeray, known for his strong views and speaking his mind, breathed his last at 3.30 pm at his residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra after having been critically ill for the past few days.
Tendulkar was joined by team-mate Harbhajan Singh in paying tributes to Thackeray.
"Rip to great bala saheb thackeray ji.you wil be missed.very sad to hear the news.condolence to the family.respect," the off-spinner wrote on his Twitter page.
Mumbai batsman Rohit Sharma also paid his respects to Thackeray on his Twitter page. "Roaring tiger of Mumbai-Maharashtra is no more..rip balasaheb thackeray," he wrote.
IPL chairman and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Rajeev Shukla also offered his condolences on Twitter. "I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the Thakre Family on the passing away of Shri Bal Thakre.May his soul rest in eternal peace," said Shukla, who is also the vice-president of BCCI.