The Board Cricket for Cricket in India (BCCI) Saturday welcomed the Indian government's decision to bestow Sachin Tendulkar with the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour.
"Sachin Tendulkar is an inspirational figure, and a role model for all sportspersons. He richly deserves the Bharat Ratna. I extend my heartiest congratulations to him," said BCCI president N. Srinivasan on a day when Tendulkar played his farewell Test here.
"He is the most deserving person. I congratulate the government for this decision. The timing is also right. His records cannot be broken for the next 100 years," added BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla.
BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said: "This is a historic moment. Sachin Tendulkar has done the country proud with his sterling achievements, over the decades. Hearty congratulations to him for being conferred the Bharat Ratna."
Tendulkar has become the youngest and the first sportsperson to get the award.