Sachin Tendulkar is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket, and is a hero to millions in India. The book tells the fascinating story of Sachin Tendulkar's rise from schoolboy prodigy to the dizzy heights of international cricketing superstardom.

Andy Croft believes Tendulkar has millions of fans all over the world. In India his fans sometimes say, "cricket is my religion and Sachin is my God". The Australian bowler, Shane Warne, says that Tendulkar is the best player he ever played against. Matthew Hayden once said, "I have seen God. He bats at number four for India."

Andy considers Sachin a very private man, who likes staying at home and listening to music. He sponsors 200 poor children every year through a charity in Mumbai.

For Sachin, cricket is not about winning, but about playing the beautiful game. "From the age of three I've loved this sport and I've never thought about scoring the most number of centuries or runs in international cricket. Everyone enjoys breaking records. I'm enjoying it too, but that is not the reason I play cricket."

In a chapter on 10 Things you probably didn't know about Sachin Tendulkar, Andy Croft says, Sachin is the only batsman to have made a century on his birthday in 1998. It appears Andy himself did not know about this fact as he missed Vinod Kambli (100 not out against England at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on his 21st birthday in January 1993) and Sanath Jayasuriya (130 off 88 balls against Bangladesh at National Stadium, Karachi in June 2008), who have also posted one day hundreds on their birthdays. More recently Ross Taylor accomplished the feat during the 2011 World Cup - 131 not out off 124 balls against Pakistan at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on March 8, 2011.

The book is guaranteed to hook the most reluctant reader - a gripping story of utter dedication to sport.

Award-winning Barrington Stoke have a decade of experience in publishing books for the dyslexic, struggling and reluctant reader and have sold nearly 3 million books worldwide.