Rahul Dravid unveils "SACHIN: Born To Bat

Former India cricket captain Rahul Dravid released “Sachin Born to Bat - The journey of cricket’s ultimate centurion” at a glittering function at the Cricket Club of India on Thursday.

Published by Jaico Books, it is written by veteran journalist Khalid A-H Ansari and edited by MiD DAY's Group Sports Editor Clayton Murzello.

Dravid waxed eloquent on Tendulkar, his former batting partner with whom he has put up many a splendid partnership in Test cricket. Dravid retired from international cricket after the Australia tour earlier this year.

Celebrated commentator Harsha Bhogle was Master of Ceremonies for the evening, remembered being at Old Trafford in the English summer of 1990 where Sachin Tendulkar scored the first of his 100 international centuries.

The book also includes his despatch on that memorable, match-saving hundred for which Sachin Tendulkar received the Man of the Match award.

The book is a compilation of various articles on the cricketing God from 1986 to 2012, covering the commendable journey from his formative years to the times of eternal glory and success.

Sachin Tendulkar has penned the introduction for the book. He writes: "Through this book, it is as if I have lived through the many moments in my life, in words and pictures."

In a special message for the book release, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar said: "Sachin Tendulkar is a special player and it needs a special writer to do justice to his skills and ability and there is none better than Khalid Ansari to do so. I wish the evening every success and I am sure the book will be avidly read by not just Sachin fans, but all cricket lovers."