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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
Sachin Tendulkar's autobiography 'Playing It My Way' officially released
