Election Commission recognises cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar as 'National Icon’

The Election Commission (EC) of India on Wednesday, August 23, recognised cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as a "national icon" to encourage greater voter turnout ahead of assembly polls in five states and the upcoming Lok Sabha election in 2024.

At a ceremony hosted at the Rang Bhawan Auditorium in Delhi in the presence of Chief Election Commission Rajiv Kumar, the ace cricket was recognised as a "national icon" on August 23.

At the event, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Election Commission and Tendulkar as a part of the three-year agreement to spread voter awareness.

Addressing the audience at the event, Tendulkar urged Indian citizens to vote in the upcoming elections.

"As an Indian, I would like for people to say that India is the youngest average nation in the world, but along with that, it is also the most responsible nation in the world when it comes to voting," the cricketer said.

He also noted, "We had players from different parts of the country, different religions, different caste, different cultures, and they were all there in the dressing room. But that was our strength."

While announcing the news, the ECI on Tuesday tweeted, “Master Blaster, Cricket Legend & Bharat Ratna Awardee Sachin Tendulkar will begin new innings tomorrow in his role as National Icon for the Election Commission.”

The title is conferred by the Election Commission to prominent personalities to encourage greater participation for voters in the electoral process.

In his illustrious cricket career, Sachin Tendulkar has represented India in 200 Test matches, which is the most by any player. He has scored 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78, along with 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries to his name. He has played 463 ODIs in his career while scoring 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83 and a strike rate of 86.23.

Tendulkar scored 49 centuries and 96 fifties in the format. He is the first-ever player to score an ODI double hundred and the legendary cricketer is also the highest run-scorer across both formats.

During the long span of his career, the master blaster has represented India in six World Cups. He has also been a part of the 2011 World Cup-winning team. He was awarded with the country's highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna in 2010.

By conferring the "national icon" title on Sachin Tendulkar, the Election Commission aims to encourage youth and urban voters to be sensitive about voting.

Previously, ECI designated actor Pankaj Tripathi as a "national icon." And prior to that, MS Dhoni, Aamir Khan and Mary Kom have also received this coveted title from the Election Commission.