New Delhi:  Sachin Tendulkar said receiving the Bharat Ratna – India’s highest civilian award – was the greatest honour of his life. The legendary batsman, who retired from cricket in November last year, was conferred with the honour by President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday noon.

Tendulkar – the only sportsperson to receive the honour and the youngest recipient at 40, – attended the ceremony with his wife Anjali and daughter Sarah. “What can I say? It is the greatest honour of my life,” he told reporters later. “I am proud to have been born in this country. I would like to say thank you to everyone for their support and I will continue to bat for India.”

Tendulkar also wished Professor CNR Rao – the other recipient. “I also want to wish Professor CNR Rao who has done a lot in his field and has inspired youth.”  Sachin’s 24-year journey in world cricket | Sachin’s greatest achievements.

No more with sun tan and his curly mane back, Tendulkar looked smart in a black bandhgala as he followed 80-year-old scientist Professor CNR Rao in receiving the Bharat Ratna. Tendulkar was honoured for his exceptional contribution to Indian cricket ahead of another ‘favourite’ the late hockey wizard Dhyan Chand.