Kumble, Dravid, Dhoni release book on Sachin Tendulkar

'There's enough that's been said and written about Sachin... 'he's been documented since he was 16... 'it's not easy to write a book on Sachin'... were some of the phrases that echoed when Rahul Dravid, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Gary Kirsten and Anil Kumble spoke at a function to unveil journalist Gautam Bhattacharya's book 'Sach' here last evening.

Kumble, Dravid, Dhoni release book on Sachin Tendulkar

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (left) and Rahul Dravid release journalist Gautam Bhattacharya's book, SACH at a function in Bangalore yesterday

Skippers pay tribute
Even as his former skippers paid tribute to him on stage, Tendulkar nodded with a smile. The celebrated lot then walked down memory lane, recalling their favourite Tendulkar moments.

The author, too, reiterated that it was a tough task to write a book that had unique anecdotes and tales about the Little Master. The evening began with a tribute from an unwell, absent Manna Dey, and ended with Dravid and Kumble wishing the Indian team luck for the World Cup.

"Sachin's been a part of all of us in one way or the other. It's a privilege that I've been a part of Sachin's achievements," an emotional Kumble saidu00a0 before going on to recall an incident in Nagpur when poor practice facilities led to Tendulkar asking Kumble to throw down some balls to him on the outfield, as the pitch is forbidden for use. Kumble said he was bowling deliveries that deviated off the uneven surface but Tendulkar middled every ball with precision. "The incident told me something about the character of the man, the genius," said Kumble.u00a0

u00a0Dravid recalled an under-15 zonal one-dayer in Cuttack:u00a0 "It was the first time I actually saw him. I was playing for South Zone, he was playing for West. I think he scored about 60 or 70 runs. But, when I went back home, I told my friends I had seen something special. I've never got tired of watching Sachin bat. He's inspired so many generations of kids."

Greatest role model
None were more overawed by the situation than Kirsten.u00a0 Hailing Tendulkar as "the greatest sporting role model he had ever met" the India coach revealed the nervousness he felt in Australia when he first joined the Indian team during the CB Series in 2008. "I was a little nervous then. I remember in Adelaide when Sachin came up to me and asked me to throw him some balls, I said to myself, 'I need to impress him'. I threw from 16-17 yards and he missed a few. The next moment, he came to me and said, "Gary do you mind going back a few yards?"

Lesson for Kirsten
"After that, lovely cover drives flowed from his bat. I learnt a lot that day," added the former South Africa opener.

Later, it was Dhoni's turn to speak and the Indian skipper kept it short and sweet. He said the most important thing he was trying to learn from Tendulkar in the last five years was humility.

'Sach' has 40 questions answered by Tendulkar which reveal the reason he snapped at critics in 2008 when he said 'I had stones thrown at me and I turned them into milestones.' The book has 83 interviews with eminent individuals on what Tendulkar means to them, and also former India coach Greg Chappell breaking his silence after four years.

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