Veteran South African fast-bowler Dale Steyn celebrates his 37th birthday on Saturday (June 27) as wishes poured in from all over the world for the cricketer.
It was back in 2019, he had announced his retirement from Test cricket as the proteas' highest wicket-taker.
With 93 caps under his belt in the longest format of cricket, Steyn's lustrous Test career spanned over 15 years, in which he bagged 439 wickets for his troubles.
The veteran pacer is the eighth-highest wicket-taker in Test history and is only behind fellow star-pacers like James Anderson (575), Glenn McGrath (563), Courtney Walsh (519) and Stuart Broad (450).
Indian Premier League (IPL) franchisees Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and SunRisers Hyderabad (RCB) took to social media to wish the speedster on his special day too.
Special day calls for a special memory #DaleSteyn #OrangeArmy #OrangeTales #SRH | @DaleSteyn62 pic.twitter.com/SnUTuvIu6u
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) June 27, 2020
65 international appearances 699 wickets An unprecedented 263 weeks spent atop @MRFWorldwide ICC Test Bowling Rankings
An all-time great
Happy birthday, Dale Steyn! pic.twitter.com/9D7dsmM8Y9
— ICC (@ICC) June 27, 2020
He’s fast! He’s smart! He’s lethal! One of the best pace bowlers of this generation, our very own Dale Steyn, turns oday! Here’s wishing you a very Happy Birthday @DaleSteyn62!
Can’t wait to see you dislodge a few more stumps! #PlayBold pic.twitter.com/5ictbFfUpH
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) June 27, 2020
Back in 2010, one of his most iconic displays of ruthless bowling came against India in Nagpur, where he bagged 7/51 in the first innings and pushed the hosts on the backfoot.
Steyn's 10-wicket hall in the Test also meant that the series ended in a drawn level at 1-1.
After announcing his retirement, he had said, "Today I walk away from a format of the game I love so much. In my opinion Test cricket is the best version of this game. It tests you mentally, physically, emotionally. It’s terrible to consider never playing another Test again but what’s more terrifying is the thought of never playing again at all. So I will be focusing on ODIs and T20s for the rest of my career to maximise my full potential and ensure my longevity in this sport.
"I’d like to thank everyone in cricket, no one specific, because everyone has been a part of my journey. And I look forward to continuing to play for the Proteas in the shorter formats. Thank you."