Former India captain Sachin Tendulkar said he has fully recovered from Covid-19 and will donate plasma when he is eligible.

Tendulkar, who turned 48 on Saturday, tested positive for the virus on March 27 and had to be briefly hospitalised in Mumbai as a precautionary measure.

“I would like to give a message, which the doctors have told me to give. Last year, I had inaugurated a plasma donation centre and their message, if plasma is given at the right time, patients can recover faster,” Tendulkar said in a video posted on his Twitter handle.

“I personally, when permissible, will donate it and I have spoken to the doctors,” he added.

Tendulkar had been in home isolation after he was discharged from the hospital on April 8.

The legendary right-handed batsman appealed to people who have recovered from Covid-19 to donate their plasma to help others.

“And you all, who have recovered from Covid-19, consult your doctor and when permissible, please donate blood, it can reduce a lot of problems.

“We know what problems our family members, friends have, till we are unwell,” said Tendulkar.

Tendulkar also thanked everyone for the birthday wishes and the doctors for keeping him in a positive frame of mind during his treatment. “...Thank you so very much for your birthday wishes. It’s truly made my day. Last month has been a tough month for me. I tested positive and had to be isolated for 21 days.

“Your prayers and good wishes, my family’s prayers and good wishes, friends, last but not the least, all the doctors and the staff with them, they kept me in a positive frame of mind and helped me recover. A big thank you to all of you,” he said.

Tendulkar had decided not to celebrate his birthday in 2020 as a mark of respect to the frontline workers leading India’s fight against the virus outbreak.

He couldn’t do it this year too as Mumbai is under a strict lockdown due to the pandemic.

Several cricketers took to Twitter to wish Tendulkar on his birthday. “HappyBirthdaySachinTendulkar Paaji. May you remain healthy and happy.

“On your birthday it’s my wish and prayer that just like you took our cricket team out of trouble many times, we as a nation are quickly able to come out of the challenging situation we are going through,” said Virender Sehwag.