PHOTOS: Kolkata says 'Thank-you, Sachin' with 199 balloons

Kolkata floated 199 bunches of balloons in the air to greet batting great Sachin Tendulkar at the Eden Gardens, as he played the 199th and penultimate Test match of his career at the iconic ground.

As part of grand celebrations drawn up by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) to give a befitting farewell to the player, all spectators in the galleries will be handed out Tendulkar masks and placards at the start of play.

"On Day three, 199 bunches of balloons will be released from the Eden Gardens. The balloons will have Tendulkar's photos and slogans as also quotations eulogising the Mumbaikar," CAB treasurer Biswarup Dey said.

The master batsman was greeted by the expected full house of 65,000 wearing his mask on Day One. The next day, the spectators waved placards.

A book on Tendulkar containing write-ups from eminent persons will also be released.