The Indian Prime Minister recommended both these names by sending a communication to the Home Ministry, which was later conveyed to President Pratibha Patel for notification.

Under the Indian constitution, the Prime Minister is allowed to nominate 12 members to the Upper House.

Tendulkar's nomination to the Rajya Sabha came as a surprise considering his long-standing demand for conferring the Bharat-Ratna on him for his contribution to cricket.

Tendulkar will be the first active sportsman to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha.