Sachin Tendulkar: First Cricketer Nominated to the Rajya Sabha

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar took oath as a Rajya Sabha member on June 4, 2012, in the chambers of Chairman Hamid Ansari — becoming the first active sportsperson and cricketer to be nominated to India's Upper House.

Tendulkar had been nominated in April along with film actor Rekha and industrialist Anu Aga, but waited until the end of IPL season 5 to take his oath.

The nomination had sparked a political slugfest. The BJP and the Shiv Sena questioned the timing of the government's move, suggesting it was aimed at distracting attention from the season's scams.

The sporting fraternity was warmer. World chess champion Viswanathan Anand said Tendulkar's new role was "a big step for him" and hoped he would enjoy it. India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said the Rajya Sabha was "a new avenue" for his senior teammate and was sure he would contribute there as well.

The nomination under Article 80 — which reserves twelve Rajya Sabha seats for distinguished contributors to art, literature, science, and social service — recognized Tendulkar's stature beyond cricket. Whether a cricketer mid-career could meaningfully contribute to Parliament was the debate his tenure would have to settle.

This article summarizes contemporaneous reporting, including IBN Live's June 2012 coverage.