IAF Group Captian Sachin Tendulkar

The 37-year-old Tendulkar was inducted into the Air Force as its brand ambassador with IAF chief Air Chief Marshal PV Naik doing the honours in a glittering ceremony at the Air Force auditorium.







India's batting great Sachin Tendulkar was awarded the honorary rank of group captain by the chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for his contribution to cricket.


Tendulkar is the first sportsperson to be conferred a rank by the IAF and the first personality without an aviation background to receive the honour.


Tendulkar, 37, was conferred the honour by Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Naik, amid loud applause from fellow officers at a ceremony in the Indian capital.



Group Captain Sachin Tendulkar salutes after receiving his honorary rank, New Delhi, Spetember 3, 20







Sachin Tendulkar being conferred with the honorary post of Indian Air Force Group Captain, New Delhi, Spetember 3, 2010


IAF Group Captian Sachin Tendulkar

Sri Lanka v India, 3rd Test

Sachin Tendulkar guided India to a strong position at lunch, Sri Lanka v India, 3rd Test, P Sara Oval, 5th day, August 7, 2010


VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar added 109 runs for the fifth wicket, Sri Lanka v India, 3rd Test, P Sara Oval, 5th day, August 7, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar scored his 56th Test 50 as India resisted, Sri Lanka v India, 3rd Test, P Sara Oval, 5th day, August 7, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar steers one away as Prasanna Jayawardene looks on, Sri Lanka v India, 3rd Test, P Sara Oval, 5th day, August 7, 2010

Amit Mishra and Sachin Tendulkar celebrate a dismissal, Sri Lanka v India, 3rd Test, P Sara Oval, 4th day, August 6, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar heads back to the pavilion after the second day, Sri Lanka v India, 3rd Test, P Sara Oval, 2nd day, August 4, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar pushes one through the off side, Sri Lanka v India, 3rd Test, P Sara Oval, 2nd day, August 4, 2010

Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar shared an unbroken 88-run stand, Sri Lanka v India, 3rd Test, P Sara Oval, 2nd day, August 4, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar prepares for his 169th Test match under Gary Kirsten's supervision, Colombo, August 2, 2010

India vs Sri Lanka Test Series

Sachin Tendulkar takes the applause after reaching his double-ton, Sri Lanka v India, 2nd Test, SSC, 4th day, July 29, 2010

5th Test Double Century

Sachin Tendulkar reached his fifth double-century in Tests, Sri Lanka v India, 2nd Test, SSC, 4th day, July 29, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar cuts off the back foot, Sri Lanka v India, 2nd Test, SSC, 4th day, July 29, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar avoids a bouncer, Sri Lanka v India, 2nd Test, SSC, 4th day, July 29, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar survives an lbw appeal, Sri Lanka v India, 2nd Test, SSC, 4th day, July 29, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar punches one through the off side, Sri Lanka v India, 2nd Test, SSC, 4th day, July 29, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar signals century No. 48, Sri Lanka v India, 2nd Test, SSC, 3rd day, July 28, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar raises his helmet in celebration after scoring his 48th test century as Suresh Raina looks on during the third day of the second Test match between Sri Lanka and India at SSC in Colombo.

Suresh Raina watches Sachin Tendulkar savour yet another Test hundred, Sri Lanka v India, 2nd Test, SSC, 3rd day, July 28, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar raises his helmet and bat in celebration after scoring a century during the third day of the second Test match between Sri Lanka and India at The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.

Sachin Tendulkar played patiently after the spinners struck, Sri Lanka v India, 2nd Test, SSC, 3rd day, July 28, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar forces one through the off side, Sri Lanka v India, 2nd Test, SSC, 3rd day, July 28, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina added 141 by stumps, Sri Lanka v India, 2nd Test, SSC, 3rd day, July 28, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar clips the ball to the leg side, Sri Lanka v India, 2nd Test, SSC, 3rd day, July 28, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar signals 55th Test half-century, Sri Lanka v India, 1st Test, Galle, 4th day, July 21, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar cuts, Sri Lanka v India, 1st Test, Galle, 4th day, July 21, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were involved in a century stand, Sri Lanka v India, 1st Test, Galle, 4th day, July 21, 2010