Vinod Kambli surprised at Sachin Tendulkar using blood in biography

Vinod Kambli surprised by childhood pal and batting star Sachin Tendulkar's decision to have his blood used on a page of his autobiography to be released in february next year

Sachin Tendulkar's childhood friend Vinod Kambli was surprised that the batting maestro agreed to have his blood used on a page of a special, limited edition of his autobiography to be released in February, 2011.

Sachin Tendulkar at Galle. PIC/AFP

"I am taken aback," said Kambli, after MiD DAY informed him about Tendulkar's blood being used in the book. 

"This is something you could have expected from a Vinod Kambli and not Sachin Tendulkar," he said. 

The Guardian newspaper quoted publisher Kraken Media's chief executive Karl Fowler as saying, "The signature page will be mixed with Sachin's blood - mixed into the paper pulp so it's a red resin. It is what it is - you will have Sachin's blood on the page." 

However, the London-based publishers did not elaborate on the blood aspect when contacted by this paper last evening. 

According to a report, only 10 copies of the Blood Edition will be printed and they are already sold. The proceeds will go to Tendulkar's charity foundation for a school to be built. "I am touched by Sachin's gesture. It is a very noble one for a great cause and I would like to help in any way possible," said Kambli.

"Talking about blood, you know, I have never seen Sachin shed blood," said Kambli, who was known to be one part of a mischievous pair. "I only watched on television how he got injured on his debut tour of Pakistan in 1989-90."

The 852-page special book reportedly weighs 37 kilos and measures half a metre square. It costs £49,000.  

The publishers will print around 1,000 copies of another edition priced between £1,300 and £1,900. The height will be the same as the Blood Edition but will have 75% of previously unpublished material as well as his DNA profile. A smaller edition is being planned too and will cost between £130 and £190.

"From speeding balls to incessant travel, movement has been the only constant in my professional life," Tendulkar says in a press release. 

"Seeing that captured in static images at such large scale and high quality is a real treat and makes this unique project all the more special. I can't think of a better way of displaying my life and career than in an Opus." 

Tendulkar, who is Galle for the opening Test against Sri Lanka  was unavailable for comment.

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