Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

“My cricket has stopped, but I will continue to bat for India and try my best to give [the] people of India a reason to smile”

Legendary India batsman Sachin Tendulkar has become the first sportsman and is the youngest person to receive the Bharat Ratna, which is the country’s highest civilian award.

Tendulkar, 40, retired from international cricket in November 2013 after playing in his 200th Test match, which came against the West Indies in his hometown of Mumbai.

“It’s the biggest honour for me and I am extremely delighted on receiving the Bharat Ratna,” Tendulkar said. “I am extremely proud to be born in this beautiful nation and I would like to express my gratitude to all the love, affection and support I have received for number of years.

“My cricket has stopped, but I will continue to bat for India and try my best to give [the] people of India a reason to smile,” he said. “I would like to reiterate what I said a couple of months ago about this recognition and dedicate this to my mother and along with her, all the mothers in India who sacrifice their wishes, aspirations for their children so that their dreams come true.”