Sachin Tendulkar deserves Bharat Ratna, says Virat Kohli

India's latest batting sensation Virat Kohli on Thursday said Sachin Tendulkar deserves country's highest civilian award - the Bharat Ratna."He (Tendulkar) really deserves Bharat Ratna. Whatever he has done, I don't think anyone else can be even be close to achieve (100 hundreds in international cricket) what he achieved in last 22 years .. it is something impossible," Kohli told reporters, here after signing as Brand Ambassador to Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

The clamour for honouring the Little Master with Bharat Ratna intensified after Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan told the state Assembly that his government would recommend Tendulkar's name for the highest civilian award.The demands for the award have found a vocal support across all sections of the society, both national and international.

Excited about this year's IPL, Kohli said unlike last IPL, he is pretty relaxed during this edition with string of good performances behind him in the international arena."I am really excited about this year's IPL. I am feeling relaxed this time around because in last IPL, I wanted to prove a point. IPL 3 was not that great performance wise," he said.

Kohli said though he considered himself to be in the confidence zone, he was not complacent and working hard to help RCB's prospects.Asked what would be his aim in IPL after India's poor show in England and Australia, Kohli said he would concentrate on every game that came his way and try to prepare the best way he could.

"We (RCB) have 18 games to go. It is going to be a challenge for everyone ... I am looking forward for each and every game ... I don't think about the past or think too much ahead of the future," he said. Earlier, Toyota Kirloskar Motor announced Kohli as its brand ambassador.Speaking on the oaccsion, Kohli said, "I am excited to be a part of Toyota's drive to connect with India's youth.Toyota inspires the spirit of success and that is an emotion that is close to my heart."

© PTI