'This befits an extraordinarily accomplished Indian'

	'Sportspersons tend to hit the ball straight but politicians hit the ball indirectly. I think Sachin deserves much more than that.' © Fotocorp Enlarge
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"It's good for the entire sport fraternity. It's undoubtedly a great honour for Tendulkar and he deserves it. He is a great ambassador of the game. I hope Sachin does a great job. There have been a lot of issues in sport, with cricket being given the top priority. His valuable inputs would definitely help the Indian sport. He may not devote a lot of time to attend Rajya Sabha, but he can convey his ideas."
Former India wicketkeeper and chief of selectors Kiran More

"It's an honour to be a Rajya Sabha member. Having known Sachin from really close quarters, I don't think he will be able to do justice to the position. He is a straightforward person. I know his attitude and approach. He will not change his ideology or bend himself to do some favour. You know what politics is. We sportspersons tend to hit the ball straight but politicians hit the ball indirectly. I think Sachin deserves much more than that."
Former India opener and coach Anshuman Gaekwad

"Many congratulations to him. But it's up to him how he goes about it. It's difficult to say whether this move will give us results. It's like you cannot say a great cricketer [will] be a great coach. It's entirely up to him to manage this. I wish him all the best."
Former India wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani

"I don't know whether he has time to do that, because I think he is playing international cricket, he is playing in all formats of the game ... [Will] he have time to attend the Parliament [sessions]?"
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar

"Frankly, I am at a loss for words. I never realised these sort of things interested him. He is not one to express his views publicly and this would be a real test for him. I hope he can make a difference in parliament."
Tendulkar's former India team-mate Sanjay Manjrekar

Virender Sehwag tweets ahead of Delhi Daredevils game against Mumbai Indians in the IPL:

My first ipl game against a rajya sabha member ;) Hope the weather holds n we get a full game today. #tweementary

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 27, 2012

"Sachin is a great player and we are proud of him. If Sachin is being nominated, surely he would devote some time to Parliament."
BJP (the main opposition party) spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad

"I think it's a completely personal decision, if Sachin [Tendulkar] thinks he should join politics and he can make a difference, it's most welcome. For a sportsperson, I think, people like Sachin coming in is always good, because it's going to benefit sports. I think Sachin is one person everybody looks up to, and I am sure he will do a great job. We need good politicians, good, honest people in the Parliament."
Former India football captain Baichung Bhutia

"Delighted to hear on the news that Sachin has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha. Befitting an extraordinarily accomplished Indian."
Royal Challengers Bangalore owner Vijay Mallya