Sachin Tendulkar's tell-all autobiography 'Playing It My Way' was officially launched on Tuesday - ending the wait of cricket fraternity and fans around the globe.
The gala event took place in Sachin's hometown Mumbai after he offered the first copy of the book to his mother - similar to the manner he dedicated his Bharat Ratna to all the mothers in the world.
ALSO SEE I showed Ian Chappell the size of mirror with batting: Sachin
It's hardly known what's beyond Sachin Tendulkar, the cricketer. How's Sachin the family man - the father, the son, the brother and the husband? Enough has been known, written and read about his cricket and the milestones he crossed in a decorated career. But very little, if any, about Sachin as an individual when he is away from cricket. And his autobiography is expected to introduce his fans to all that.
Having retired almost a year ago, on November 16, 2011, Sachin said it took him three years to write this book, which tells that he was working on it during the last two years of his career.
ALSO SEE Wanted to boycott Aus tour during 'Monkeygate': Sachin
"This book is a sincere attempt. I want people to know what my life has been. It has taken three years to write this autobiography. It was nice to relive the moments I have lived in the last 41 years," Sachin said.
The evening began with Harsha Bhogle inviting Sachin's seniors Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar and Ravi Shastri on the stage, who shared their experience of watching Sachin for the first time as a 15-year-old and how he evolved into a champion batsman.
ALSO SEE I didn't know, so didn't comment: Tendulkar on fixing
It was an awe-inspiring moment when the 'Fab Four' of Indian cricket - Sachin himself, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman - were together on the stage sharing stories from the days they played together for India, scoring more than 45,000 Test runs together.
And then The Tendulkars - Sachin, Ajit and Anjali - graced the stage. While Anjali told how he first saw Sachin at an airport and was charmed by his cuteness, Sachin told how he asked Anjali to go and talk to his parents about their marriage when he was away on the New Zealand tour.
ALSO SEE Not privy to Sachin-Chappell discussions: Dravid
Ajit, who introduced Sachin to cricket, said he always discussed Sachin's dismissals and never celebrated his hundreds, fearing his brother might feel he has done enough.
This was followed by the official launch of the book, which ended with Sachin thanking all those involved in the effort.
"Playing It My Way' is a different sort of innings for me, and was in the making for the last three years. As with the game, I have been honest and sincere in putting together various aspects of my life, and the book is something I hope readers will enjoy," he said.
"I would like to thank those who helped me put this book together, it took three years and the last eight months were really taxing: Sachin".
Managing Director of the books' publishers Hachette India, Thomas Abraham, said, "This is an absolutely outstanding book - at once cricketing history and personal narrative; and will delight every cricketing fan. We are delighted to welcome Sachin Tendulkar to our list and are proud to be publishing this landmark autobiography which we're sure - like its author - will go on to set new records."
The book has, in fact, already set the Indian record for the largest adult hardback orders on day of release with 100,000 copies being released by the publishers. While lucky guests got the chance to purchase early 'launch' copies, the book is heavily embargoed and was transported across the country under security for simultaneous release on the 6th of November.
IBN Live 6 th Nov 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment