Bharat Ratna for Sachin Tendulkar

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's name has been recommended for Bharat Ratna by the Prime Minister's Office.

However, sources also add that there is some reservation on conferring Bharat Ratna on Tendulkar as he is considered too young for the highest civilian award of the country.

Those opposing his name also say that as the maestro received Padma Vibhushan just two years back and it may be too early for a Bharat Ratna.

At a function in Mumbai the batting maestro stayed away from the issue, saying Bharat Ratna is the dream of every Indian.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni backed the chorus for awarding Bharat Ratna to Tendulkar.

VVS Laxman may awarded the Padma Shree.

South Africa Seal series after Pathan's Heroic

Yusuf Pathan's blistering century proved in vain for India as South Africa won the fifth and decisive one-day international by 33 runs on Sunday to take the series 3-2.

Morne Morkel bagged four wickets and Dale Steyn and Lonwabo Tsotsobe took two apiece for the hosts who dismissed India for 234. India had been set a Duckworth/Lewis revised target of 268 to win in 46 overs following a rain delay.

Yusuf, who came out in the 14th over when India were tottering at 74 for six, hit eight stunning sixes and as many fours to raise visions of a historic series-clinching win for India only to fail short at the end.

With the loss, India failed to realise their dreams of recording a first ever ODI series win on South African soil besides ending the nearly one-and-a-half month tour on a losing note. The three-match Test series before the one-dayers had ended in a 1-1 draw.

Put into bat, South Africa scored 250 for nine in 46 overs with in-form Hashim Amla contributing a brilliant unbeaten 116 but India had to chase 268 after adjustments were made under the D/L method.

Indian top order batsmen were on self-destruct mode as they fell like a pack of cards, with most of them being dismissed while playing rash shots when put under pressure by a disciplined South African bowlers.