Mumbai: In all praise for Sachin Tendulkar, former captain and his team-mate Rahul Dravid said that the Master Blaster was the reason why so many youngsters have taken up the game across the country.

"At the BCCI annual awards function yesterday, Sachin said that Sunil Gavaskar had inspired him to take up the game. But what Sachin has done is inspire generations of players in the small towns and villages across the country. That is the impact he has had on India and Indian society through television," said Dravid.

Terming it to be a pleasure to play alongside Sachin, Dravid said people might forget him with time, but will certainly remember the Little Master for long long time to come. "We might have scored 6900 runs together. People may not remember me, but will certainly remember Sachin," said Dravid, adding that he has had the pleasure to see Sachin many innings through close quarters.

"I have with great pleasure seen Sachin from close quarters construct an innings. He has great talent and a great mind. Here is a man who is not only born to bat but born to play cricket," said Dravid while launching the book "Sachin - Born To Bat" by Khalid A H Ansari, here on Thursday.

The book has been published by Jaico Publishing House and has an introduction by Tendulkar. "It has articles in it written on Tendulkar by Ganguly, (former Australia captain) Ian Chappell and (late journalist) Peter Roebuck," said a representative of the publishing house.

By Indian Sports News Network