Sachin Tendulkar of India should have been knighted, if the old Commonwealth practice was still prevalent in this country, said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (picture right) today. Drawing a parallel with Tendulkar and the legendary Donnald Bradman, Brown said Tendulkar made for a “strong case” for knighthood to those who contribute to the sports in the world.

Though the decision is taken by an independent honours committee in Britain, he said: “I am sure people recognise that just as Sir Don Bradman and others got the honours as honorary knighthoods for work they did for cricket, for sport and for extending cultural links and sporting links between countries and across the world, there is a strong case for those who make huge contribution as to sports,” Brown said here.

“Sachin Tendulkar is one of the great cricketers of the world,” he said addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Brown also applauded the Indian cricket team for its Test victory over Australia in Perth, noting that the Indians had brought to a halt the dream run of the Australians who had won 16 matches in a row.

Noting that cricket is one of the great things that binds the Commonwealth together, he said there was a time when top cricketers from the countries in the grouping would be recognised by the British people through its honoured system. “It used to be the case that great cricketers from the Commonwealth would be recognised by the British people through our honoured system — we think of Sir Don Bradman or Sir Gary Sobers,” Brown said.

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