Mumbai, Nov 16 - Sachin Tendulkar should 'keep off the political pitch' for his own well-being, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray said Monday in response to the cricket maestro's comments last week that 'Mumbai belongs to all'.

In a signed, open letter to the cricketer published in the Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna, Thackeray has given 'a friendly advice' to Tendulkar and asked him to stay away from politics for 'his own well-being'.

Thackeray has taken serious umbrage to the cricket legend's statement last week that 'he was an Indian first and Marathi too, but Mumbai belongs to all'.

'You are free to hit fours and sixers on the cricket field, but keep off the political pitch,' Thackeray said.

Hitting out at Tendulkar - who grew up in Thackeray's neighbourhood in Bandra East and learnt his first cricket lessons there - the Sena chief said the cricketer had become a billionaire and made a name for himself in the world because of his great skills.

'Nobody grudges you all this, in fact it makes them feel proud. But when you speak politics like this you tear the hearts of Maharashtrians,' he held.