New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar is going to fly high quite literally and give Top Gun a new meaning. The master blaster is soon to become an officer of the Indian Air Force with the Air Headquarters having finalised plans to make him an honorary Group Captain and the President having given her nod for the same on Wednesday. It's the first time a cricketer will get this honour. There was considerable debate as to what rank the great batsman should be given. Wing Commander and Squadron Leader were deemed too junior for the national icon, who has 20 years of top class cricket under his belt.

Sachin Tendulkar in his initial reaction said, "It's a great honour that the IAF has bestowed upon me and I will do my best to be the best ambassador for the IndianAir Force." The Air Force had forwarded the necessary files to the Defence Ministry as it needed consent from the President and the Prime Minister's office before making a formal announcement.

It's not very often that the armed forces give civilians honorary ranks. Last year the Territorial Army made film star Mohanlal an Honorary Colonel. It conferred the same honour to Kapil Dev, while industrialist Vijaypath Singhania was made an Air Commodore for holding a world record in high altitude hot balloon flying.