Maharashtra govt wants Bharat Ratna for Tendulkar

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government will convey to the Centre that master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who scored a landmark double ton against South Africa, be honoured with the country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna.

"We will ask the central government to award Bharat Ratna to Sachin, who has mesmerised cricket lovers the world over," Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said.

"Even cricketers around the globe are saying Sachin has attained a stature higher than that of legendary Sir Don Bradman," Bhujbal told reporters.

The state government has proposed to set up a museum devoted to Sachin, he said. "The museum will showcase the glorious life and career of the great batsman and will serve as an inspiration to the young generation," Bhujbal said.

Sachin became the first cricketer to cross the 200-run mark in one-day internationals.