By Papri Das

India Today Group consulting editor and popular news anchor Rajdeep Sardesai, couldn?t have asked for a better way to ring in his 50th birthday on 24 May -- playing cricket with his best buddies! ?Celebrated my birthday by doing what I always once did on birthdays - played a cricket match! Can't think of a better way to ring in the 50th year of life,? said an excited Sardesai in posts on social networks, as he took a trip down memory lane, sitting in a room overlooking the CCI stadium in Mumbai.

To Rajdeep, cricket is special for more than one reason -- his own passion for the game as a player back when he was in college, and his father Dilip Sardesai, who was well-known test cricketer. ?It was here back in 1965, ironically the year of my birth, that my old man scored a double century against the Kiwis, one of the great innings of Indian cricket. I miss him but feel that his spirit guides me through good times and bad,? quipped the only veteran journalist with a profile for himself on cricinfo.

As much as Rajdeep was excited to get in the thick of action, his fitness - or the apparent lack of it - almost played spoilsport. ?The mind was willing, the body struggled. The fitness levels varied, but the enthusiasm made up for the failing waistlines. We had great fun and eventually the match was tied! And probably fixed too!? he added in jest.

Known for his rather grave on-screen personality, it was amusing to see Rajdeep?s old friends teasing him over returning to the pavilion after his short brief knock of a measly 15 runs. ?Happy half a century in life boss Rajdeep Sardesai! Though you got out for just 15 runs today at Bombay Gymkhana,? joked his friend and former Ranji cricketer Shishir Hattangadi. ?Let's meet here again when you hit a century in life in 2065," he added.

Rajdeep?s birthday was an occasion for old buddies from south Mumbai?s Campion School to raise a toast to him. Musician Sanjay Maroo, Mohieranjan Patel, Rahul Patel, Asit Oberoi and Uday More joined in to wish him the best in life. Rajdeep also got together with his brother-in-law and sister Shonali Sardesai's husband Taimur Baig for a lavish meal at the eclectic European cuisine restaurant Indigo in Colaba, Mumbai.

His wife and well known journalist Sagarika Ghose, who matches Rajdeep?s sense of humour, couldn?t help commenting, ?After all the old monk consumed over 50 years, the birthday cake had to have a bit of rum.?

Rajdeep, we at Indiantelevision.com can only raise another glass to you and say, ?Bottoms up.?