A book on Sachin Tendulkar was launched in Bangalore on Wednesday just nine days ahead of the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup.The book, edited by veteran cricket journalist and espnstar.com columnist Suresh Menon, comprises 18 essays by writers who have watched Tendulkar's career from close quarters, including Sanjay Manjrekar, Kumble and Dravid.
Other contributors include Peter Roebuck, Greg Baum, Harsha Bhogle and Barney Ronay.
Fittingly, it includes a foreword by Test cricket's highest wicket taker Muttiah Muralitharan, the man who is to bowling what Tendulkar is to batting.
Dravid launched the book and Kumble received the first copy.
Kumble marvelled at Tendulkar's ability to master every aspect of the game he set his mind to.
"Sachin just rolled his arm over, and turned the leg-spinner and the googly by the same huge width, while I was struggling to spin the ball," he said.
He also remembered his debut at Old Trafford in 1990, in which Tendulkar scored his first international century.
"Kiran More had ordered me to keep standing on the balcony, since Tendulkar was batting well when I was there. I was allowed to sit down only after he reached his hundred, and the match was saved," Kumble said.
Dravid said the book "is a great reflection on Tendulkar's accomplishments, and is something youngsters taking to cricket will enjoy reading."