Why Tendulkar shouldn't get the Bharat Ratna

Over the past few months, there has been plenty of debate in India over whether Sachin Tendulkar should receive the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. He wasn't awarded it this year, and Aakar Patel argues in business newspaper Mint that Tendulkar shouldn't get the honour.

In 2010, the Indian Air Force made Tendulkar a group captain, the only sportsman ever to hold this rank. Tendulkar is already Padma Vibhushan, the second highest honour the Republic of India can give. Kumar Gandharva took apart the gharana system, transformed the culture of Hindustani music and was also given the Padma Vibhushan. Tendulkar hit cricket balls. Many cricket balls, and very far. But Bharat Ratna?