New Delhi , India ( CNN ) -- From the boisterous crowds of stadia to a noisy assembly of mostly politicians , India 's cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar faces a new test . On the website of the Rajya Sabha , the upper house of the Indian parliament , the 39-year-old is now listed as one of its nominated members . `` When you get nominated because of your contribution in your field , it 's an honor , '' Tendulkar said at an event in Pune , western India on Tuesday . The sporting icon 's surprise selection to the house of elders has drawn a mixed reaction in India , where cricket and politics are often seen as the opium of the masses . `` Nominating Sachin Tendulkar to the Rajya Sabha may be a populist move , but it makes little sense , '' wrote the Times of India newspaper in a comment last week . The editorial was posted under a page-one headline `` God has a new House '' that announced the naming of the revered cricketer to the national assembly . `` A nomination to the Rajya Sabha , however , should not be treated as a means of honoring eminent people but as a way to enrich parliamentary debate by having people with expertise in different fields . Nominating an active sportsperson defeats that purpose , '' the paper wrote Friday . Some of India 's sports personalities were also skeptical whether an active player would be able to do justice to legislative proceedings . `` I do n't know whether he ( Tendulkar ) has time to do that because I think he is playing international cricket ; he is playing in all formats of the game , '' former cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar told reporters . `` Whether he will have time to do that ? Whether he will have time to attend parliament ? I really can not say anything on this . '' At the same time , many lawmakers welcomed the celebrated batsman -- who has scored more runs in international cricket than any other player in the history of the game -- to their ranks . `` I am happy for Sachin . Last time , when I spoke to the media on his birthday , I had said that I hope that government nominates him for the Rajya Sabha . There is no-one better than Sachin . I am happy , '' said Najma Heptullah , a leader from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party . In March , Tendulkar became the first cricketer to score 100 international centuries . And last week , he and his wife visited the residence of Sonia Gandhi , the Italy-born head of India 's ruling Congress party whose popularity has plummeted because of a raft of corruption scandals in the government . Critics of Congress , which denies any wrongdoing , issued words of caution to the cricket star . `` Sachin will perhaps have to guard against being used by political interests . He belongs to all . He is a silent lone worker , not an activist , '' tweeted Kiran Bedi , a former police officer who is now part of an anti-corruption campaign against the federal government . Tendulkar 's selection to parliament comes under a constitutional provision that empowers the Indian president to name 12 people to the 250-member Rajya Sabha . The nomination , according to the constitution , is extended to people with `` special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as literature , science , art and social service . '' `` Unless Sachin becomes a national voice for clean , organized sports , he would be a disappointment , '' Bedi wrote on her Twitter website page . Confronted with subtle hints of political loyalty , Tendulkar has attempted to steer clear of controversies over his new role . Cricket , he insists , will remain his priority . `` I have been nominated because I am a sportsman and not a politician . I am a sportsman and will always remain one . I am not going to enter politics giving up cricket , which is my life . I will continue to play cricket , '' he said Tuesday .
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has been nominated to join India 's parliament . The selection has drawn mixed reactions , with the Times of India saying it `` makes little sense '' At the same time , many lawmakers welcomed the celebrated batsman . Tendulkar , the first cricketer to score 100 international centuries , insists sport is priority .