MUMBAI: Batting maestro Sachin
Tendulkar has been named as the most influential person in Indian sports in the
annual Sports Illustrated Power list.

The top 50 rates Tendulkar as
the number one influencer in India, followed closely by IPL Chairman Lalit Modi
at second spot and liquor baron Dr Vijay Mallya in third.

Union
Agriculture Minister and President elect, ICC Sharad Pawar, Indian cricket team
skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and BCCI president Shashank Manohar are fourth,
fifth and sixth on the list respectively.

Some of the names in 50
most influential people in Indian sports including Tendulkar, tennis ace Sania
Mirza (50th on the list), Beijing Olympics gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra
(41st), Churchill Brothers Team owner Churchill Alemao (48th), Dempo Sports Team
owner Shrinivas Dempo (49) were felicitated during a function here late last
night.

“I wanted to play cricket whole-heartedly for the country. I
am living my dream and have played with two-three generations. I wanted to be a
special member of the team and I have done it,” Tendulkar said on the
occasion.

Tendulkar added he was still receiving congratulatory
messages for becoming first batsman in the history of one-day cricket to score a
double hundred and that he was enjoying the good time.

“It has taken
many years for a batsman to get a double-hundred (in ODIs). I am still getting
great feedback. It feels terrific,” he said.

Asked how he kept
himself composed even after becoming the first Indian to win an individual gold
medal in Olympics, Bindra said, “I have waited for it for the last 16
years.”

Meanwhile, Sania, who had recently sustained a wrist injury
said she was on the way to recovery and was preparing for the Commonwealth
games.

“I am recovering from the injury. Should be back in a couple
of weeks.”

As a special gesture, Kings XI Punjab co-owner Preity
Zinta (the most powerful woman at 23 on the list) was presented with a diamond
studded cricket ball.