Tendulkar scored his fifth double-century in Test cricket to help India reach 669/9 at stumps on day four yesterday in Colombo, as the second Test against Sri Lanka headed towards a high-scoring draw.

"Sachin should get Bharat Ratna. He deserves it. He has been bringing laurels for the country for such a long time. He is not just a batsman but an artist. When he bats it looks as if somebody is playing a 'raga'," Bhonsle said.

Former cricketers Ajit Wadekar, Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengsarkar have also demanded the honour for Tendulkar.

The veteran female singer said of all the legendary batsmen, Tendulkar stands apart due to his style and class.

"I have seen batting of Gary Sobers, Clive Lloyd and Vivian Richards but no one is like Sachin. His is a different style and no one can match him," she said.

Bhonsle, who recorded an album with Australian speedster Brett Lee, has a long time wish to sing with Tendulkar but is not sure if it will ever get fulfilled.

"I want to sing with Sachin also. But I don't think it will ever happen as he is always busy. Let's see if this wait ends."

She said fact that Tendulkar was named after legendary composer and her father-in-law Sachin Dev Burman, connects her to the batting icon naturally.

"I feel good listening that."
The 75-year-old singer said Tendulkar should play well beyond the 2011 World Cup.

Tendulkar – the ‘Little Master’ – shared 256 runs for the fifth wicket with Suresh Raina, who scored a debut century in India’s reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings score of 642/4 declared.
The 37-year-old Tendulkar is the most prolific run-getter in both Test and limited overs cricket.
With a 27-run first innings lead for India and just a day’s play remaining, the match is heading to a draw at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
“I don’t count the runs that I am scoring. It’s nice to be scoring runs and I am enjoying as much being in the middle as in the past,” Tendulkar said.
He said Raina, who made his Test debut after playing 98 one-day matches, has disproved critics who doubted his qualities as a Test player.
“He showed tremendous character,” Tendulkar said. “He was solid in defence and played some magnificent shots. I thought this particular innings was terrific because when he got in to bat it was a tricky time. At that time a big partnership was needed and both of us were able to do something special.” 

Tendulkar made Sri Lanka pay for a dropped catch by wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene off seamer Dilhara Fernando when he was 29 runs. 

Five centuries have been scored during the four days with Kumar Sangakkara (219) and Tendulkar scoring double hundreds, besides Mahela Jayawardene’s 174, Tharanga Paranavitana’s 100 and Raina’s 120.

Tendulkar said the pitch was tough for the bowlers. “It’s a tough track to bowl on. It’s a batting paradise,” he said.

Tendulkar spent 347 balls for his runs which included 23 boundaries and a six. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni made 76
 
 

According to reports, Tendulkar purchased Dorab Villa from its owners, the Satra Group, for around Rs 35 crore. 

"We sold Dorab Villa to Sachin Tendulkar in December," Dr Vijay Satra, brother of managing director Praful Satra, who had purchased the property, told a Mumbai newspaper.

Dorab Villa was built in the 1920s and originally occupied by a Parsi family -- the Wardens. It is a one storey structure, measuring around 9,000 square feet, but the property is spread over around 10,000 square feet.

Tendulkar spent all of his growing up years at Sahitya Sahawas in Bandra East before shifting to the plush La Mer building in Bandra West in 2001.