Bangalore, Mar 19 (IANS): From cricketer to photographer, Anil Kumble emerges in a different avatar with his coffee table book "Wide Angle - Candid Moments From My Playing Days" that brings together his abiding passions of cricket, photography and wildlife.

As batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar writes in the foreword, the spin wizard would tell his teammates: "As long as I am in the team, you will have no privacy."

"This book will give you some insight into what happens in a cricketer's life outside of the game itself," Kumble said at a function here Wednesday at which Australian spin master Shane Warne was also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Warne recalled his long association with Kumble and said: "He is a rare combination of a gentleman and a fierce competitor and one of the jewels of the sport."

"Wide Angle", shot entirely on Canon equipment, delves into the personal experiences of one of the toughest men to have played the game, his unique take on men and matters subtly woven around stories in the dressing room, stories on tour and the sheer joy of capturing moments in history.

With a Canon camera in hand, Kumble began to take pictures as a teenager to stop a "good moment from running away", making "Wide Angle" a repository of memories, intense, casual, and celebratory.

UB Group Chairman Vijay Mallya said at the book launch: "Anil's eye for detail, grit and meticulous planning have led him to take on any challenges be it on-field or off it.

" 'Wide Angle is a precious coming together of this unique game changing ability. We are proud of his leadership for Royal Challengers. It is Anil's mentorship and experience that makes Royal Challengers one of the most sought after teams by the IPL (Indian Premier League) fans."

Kumble captains the Royal Challengers Bangalore while Warne leads the Rajasthan Royals, two of the eight teams in IPL season three

Alok Bharadwaj, senior vice president, Canon India, said: "We are proud to participate in a living legend's memorable journey."

The book, produced and marketed by TENVIC (a division of Anil Kumble Sports Pvt. Ltd.) is priced at Rs.5,900 and is available exclusively on www.wideangle.canvera.com