Reports said Major Dhyan Chand's name was in contention till the final weeks leading up to the Wankhede Test match, where Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement from cricket.
While the Sports Ministry felt that both Dhyan Chand and Sachin Tendulkar should get the Bharat Ratna together, the decision was finally taken to give the honour to Tendulkar alone because of his popular appeal.
The conferring of Bharat Ratna does not require a jury. The prime minister recommends the name and the President concurs.
