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Best Books by Cricketers, Biographies, Autobiographies and Experiences – everything cricket lovers should read

Playing It My Way by Sachin Tendulkar – An autobiography by one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history, this book offers a unique insight into Tendulkar’s life and career, from his early days as a child prodigy to his status as a cricketing legend.
Timeless Steel: My Autobiography by Rahul Dravid – A candid and insightful memoir by one of India’s most respected cricketers, known for his technical prowess and mental fortitude. The book provides a detailed look at Dravid’s approach to the game and his experiences on and off the field.
The Winning Sixer: Leadership Lessons to Master Cricket and Business by Anil Kumble – A book that combines Kumble’s experiences as a cricketer and a business leader, offering leadership lessons and insights that can be applied in cricket and corporate settings.
The Test of My Life: From Cricket to Cancer and Back by Yuvraj Singh – A moving autobiography that chronicles Singh’s battle with cancer and his journey in cricket, including his pivotal role in India’s 2011 World Cup victory.
A Century Is Not Enough: My Roller-Coaster Ride to Success by Sourav Ganguly – An autobiography by the former Indian captain, known for his aggressive leadership style and role in transforming Indian cricket. The book provides a candid look at Ganguly’s life and career, including the controversies and challenges he faced.
Ponting: At Close of Play by Ricky Ponting – An honest and insightful autobiography that details Ponting’s journey from his early days in Tasmania to becoming one of the most successful captains in cricket history. The book also delves into the controversies and challenges he faced.
Fred: Portrait of a Fast Bowler by John Arlott is a biography of the legendary English fast bowler Fred Trueman. This book is praised for its detailed and honest portrayal of Trueman as a cricketer and person.
Cricketing Lives: A Characterful History from Pitch to Page by Richard Thomas – This book is a collection of character-driven stories about cricket and cricketers from the game’s earliest beginnings to the modern era.
Life So Full of Promise by Ross McMullin – A biography that uses the backdrop of the First World War to tell the stories of some of Australia’s most promising cricketers who lost their lives in the conflict.
Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2023 (Edited by Lawrence Booth) is the definitive retrospective of the 2022 cricket season, covering everything from scorecards and statistics to the sport’s social and cultural impact.
Golden Boy: Kim Hughes and the Bad Old Days of Australian Cricket by Christian Ryan – A biography that focuses on Kim Hughes, a former Australian captain who is remembered for his emotional breakdown during a press conference.
An Island’s Eleven: The Story of Sri Lankan Cricket – The definitive account of Sri Lanka’s rise to prominence in the sport, from its roots in British colonialism to its World Cup victory in 1996.
The Art of Captaincy by Mike Brearley is a treatise on the complexities of cricket captaincy written by one of England’s most successful captains.
Rhythm and Swing is Richard Hadlee’s autobiography. It offers insights into his meticulous approach to the game and includes a fascinating chapter on how he chooses a ball to bowl with.
The Miracle Makers by Bharat Sundaresan—Love Rahane? This book highlights the personality and contributions of Ajinkya Rahane, one of India’s most respected cricketers.
Australia 55 by Alan Ross is a classic account of the 1954-55 Ashes series, which England won under Len Hutton’s captaincy.
The Cricket War by Gideon Haigh is for those who love to learn more about cricket and how this sport changed the world. It explores Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket revolution in Australia in the late 1970s.
The Cricket Monthly is a digital magazine that publishes in-depth articles and features on cricket. It often delves into players’ personal stories and the sport’s broader social and cultural aspects.
The Unquiet Ones: A History of Pakistan Cricket by Osman Samiuddin is a comprehensive history of Pakistani cricket, tracing its development from the partition of India in 1947 to the present day.
Beyond a Boundary by C.L.R. James is a seminal work that combines cricket history, social commentary, and autobiography. It explores the game’s significance in the West Indies and its role in shaping Caribbean identity.
Rain Men: The Madness of Cricket by Marcus Berkmann – A humorous and insightful look at the amateur game of cricket, filled with anecdotes and reflections on the sport’s enduring appeal.
The Art of Cricket by Sir Donald Bradman—Bradman! The name tells more stories than many combined! It is a technical guide to cricket written by one of the greatest batsmen. It offers insights into the skills and strategies needed to excel at the sport.
A Corner of a Foreign Field: The Indian History of a British Sport by Ramachandra Guha – A comprehensive history of cricket in India, exploring its role in shaping the country’s identity and relationship with the British Empire.
The Cricketing Mind: A Collection of Writings on Cricket by Michael Atherton – A collection of essays on cricket by the former England captain, covering a range of topics from the psychology of batting to the future of the sport.
The Game of Life: A Journey into the Heart of Sport by Ed Smith – A memoir by the former England cricketer and current commentator, which uses cricket as a lens to explore broader themes of success, failure, and the human condition.

Top 25 Cricket Autobiographies by Indian & Foreign Players

cricket autobiographies by indian players

Cricket Autobiographies are always inspiring. Aren’t they?

There is never going to be any dull moments for the Cricket fans, when their star cricketers, whom they have been following throughout their life, pen down the behind-stories of their cricketing career.

There are various kinds of Cricket books.

There are coaching books , and then there are players’ life books.

Some books on cricketers’ life come out with controversies, and some – just solve the mysteries of the past. Some have answers to the questions, cricket fans been looking for.

The books which I have chosen are filled with stories that inspire, and are the ones which I couldn’t resist recommending.

Here’s my list of my top 25 cricket autobiographies by Indian and foreign players to read.

List of the Best Cricket Autobiographies

Clicking on the name of the book will directly take you to the product page, where you can buy them!

Playing It My Way – Sachin Tendulkar
A Century is not Enough: My Roller-coaster Ride to Success – Sourav Ganguly
The Dhoni Touch – MS Dhoni
281 and Beyond – VVS Laxman
Yuvraj Singh – The Test Of My Life – Yuvraj Singh
A Biography of Rahul Dravid: The Nice Guy Who Finished First – Rahul Dravid
Six Machine: I Don’t Like Cricket. I Love it – Chris Gayle
Bouch: Through my eyes – Mark Boucher
KP: My Autobiography – Kevin Pietersen
Being Freddie: My Story so Far – Andrew Flintoff
Firestarter: A compelling read for keen cricket fans – Ben Stokes
Driving Ambition – My Autobiography – Andrew Strauss
Graeme Swann: The Breaks Are Off – My Autobiography – Graeme Swann
Unguarded: My Autobiography – Jonathan Trott
A Clear Blue Sky: A Memoir – Jonny Bairstow
My World in Cricket – Stuart Broad
Brendon McCullum – Declared – Brendon McCullum
At the Close of Play – Ricky Ponting
Line and Strength: The Complete Story – Glenn McGrath
Shane Warne’s Century: My Top 100 Test Cricketers – Shane Warne
Underneath the Southern Cross – Michael Hussey
Imperfect – Sanjay Manjrekar
True Colours – Adam Gilchrist
To the Point – Herschelle Gibbs
Indian Summers – John Wright

I have listed these books after reading each one of them with such joy and inspiration to find the next one to read.

I will keep updating the list whenever I find good reads on Cricketers.

You can also read my previous upload on the list of Best Cricket Coaching Books available online to train cricketers in the right way.

You can also gift these books to the upcoming and buddig cricketers!

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12 Inspiring Cricket Memoirs Every Indian Fan Should Read

Updated Jul 1, 2024, 14:00 IST

12 Inspiring Cricket Memoirs Every Indian Fan Should Read (Picture Credit - Instagram)

1. Playing It My Way by Sachin Tendulkar

2. the test of my life by yuvraj singh, 3. a century is not enough by sourav ganguly, 4. driven: the virat kohli story by vijay lokapally, 5. the barefoot coach by paddy upton, 6. believe: what life and cricket taught me by suresh raina, 7. the dhoni touch: unravelling the enigma that is mahendra singh dhoni by bharat sundaresan, 8. stargazing: the players in my life by ravi shastri, 9. sunny days: sunil gavaskar's own story by sunil gavaskar, 10. a biography of rahul dravid by devendra prabhudesai, 11. 281 and beyond by vvs laxman, 12. no spin by shane warne.

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Top 10 Best Cricket Biographies

The passion for cricket runs deep in the veins of every Indian fan. It’s not just about the on-field heroics but the off-field drama that truly captivates us. We crave the behind-the-scenes insights, the locker room banter, and the controversies that make our favourite players human. The burning questions that keep us up at night – why did Rahul Dravid declare the innings in the Multan Test with Sachin Tendulkar just six runs shy of his double century? What really went down between Sourav Ganguly and Greg Chappell? And the decision to promote MS Dhoni in the 2011 World Cup Final – how did it all come about?

If you’re a true cricket enthusiast, there’s only one way to uncover the facts – by immersing yourself in the pages of biographies. These books offer a peek into the lives of some of the greatest players to ever grace the pitch. From the enigmatic Sachin Tendulkar to the gritty MS Dhoni, we at Top 10s Only have compiled a list of the Top 10 Best Cricket Biographies that are a must-read for any die-hard fan. So grab a copy, settle in, and get ready to embark on an emotional journey that will have you laughing, crying, and cheering in equal measure.

The List of Top 10 Best Biographies Of Indian Cricketers

Get ready to be inspired and gain an insider’s perspective on the lives of some of the greatest cricket players of all time. Biographies are a treasure trove of valuable information that will take you on an emotional journey with these legendary athletes. However, these biographies aren’t just dry collections of facts – they’re emotional rollercoasters that give you a firsthand look at the highs and lows of some of the greatest cricketers of all time. Sure, you could try to piece together their stories from scattered news articles and clickbait headlines, but let’s face it: those are just half-truths designed to grab your attention. If you want the real, unvarnished truth about the greatest cricketers of all time, here is a list of the Top 10 Best Cricket Biographies that a cricket lover should read and enjoy.

1. The Nice Guy Who Finished First: A Biography Of Rahul Dravid By Devendra Prabhudesai

Indian cricket has some flamboyant personalities like Mansoor Ali Khan Patuadi, Krishanamachari Srikanth, Kirmani, Saurav Ganguly, etc., who have won many matches and captivated hearts. Then there are a few like Rahul Dravid, who is one of those strong and silent types who carry the team selflessly. Often called names like “The Wolf” and “The Wall”, Dravid’s skill and leadership are known to all cricket fans. Time and again, he has proved why he is one of the greatest cricketers in India. If you are looking to read a biography of Indian cricketers, then this is the one for you.

The Nice Guy Who Finished First is one of the best biographical books written about cricketers that talks about his illustrious career and how he succeeded by keeping faith in 3Ds – dedication, determination and discipline. This well-written book is one of the top ten biographies of cricketers where Dravid’s moments of triumph, trials and tribulations are described succinctly. The author recounts Rahul Dravid’s story, assisted by all those who witnessed him from close quarters. More details about this intriguing book are as below:

Publisher(s)

Rupa Publications India

Year Of First Publication

January 1, 2005

Formats Available

Paperback and Kindle Edition

2. The Sardar Of Spin By Neha Bedi

Bishan Singh Bedi is one of the most celebrated and acclaimed Indian spinners of all time. He was a thorn in the flesh for many batters in the 1970s. The one thing that he is even better at when not bowling is his honest feedback and comments. He is someone who never minces words, and his comments are as deadly as his bowling. The Sardar of Spin By Neha Bedi is a chronicle of the almost two-decade-long career of Bishan Bedi. This is one of the books on Indian cricketers’ biography that is a collection of essays by sports writers, journalists, authors, and former cricketers who share their experiences about Bedi’s life and provides insight into his cricketing journey. This book is one of the top 10 books about Indian cricketers and a great read and celebrates Bishan Bedi’s life and everything he stood for.

September 2021

Kindle and Hardcover

3. The Definitive Biography By Vaibhav Purandare

Is there anyone in India who isn’t a fan of Sachin Tendulkar? Almost everyone who loves cricket adores him, if not outright loves him. There has been so much written and said about him, and even years after his retirement, his fans still can’t get enough of him. This book, written prior to his retirement, offers a unique perspective that isn’t widely known. It’s considered one of the best cricket biographies in India, revealing the qualities that earned Sachin Tendulkar the moniker of “God of Cricket.” The book delves into his preparation for achieving milestones as well as the personal and professional tragedies he faced. For a more in-depth understanding, pick up a copy of the book – it’s an excellent read.

Kindle, Paperback and Hardcover

4. Portrait Of A Flawed Genius By Simon Wilde

If you’re looking for one of the best biographies of cricket players, look no further than this awesome book in our top 10s list! Shane Warne is a captivating and illustrious cricketer of the modern era, known for his flair and showmanship. He is an enigmatic genius, as well as a fascinating performer. His encounter with Sachin Tendulkar, one of the world’s greatest batsmen, was a riveting contest in the world of cricket.

This biography offers a glimpse into Warne’s human weaknesses and his legendary professional accomplishments. It is a tale of one of the greatest cricket players of all time, shedding light on his personal struggles, such as his extramarital affairs, drug scandals, strained family relationships, and involvement with bookies. The book stands out among cricket biographies as it illustrates how personal life can impact professional success.

This is truly one of the best biographies of the greatest cricket players of all time!. Through interviews with Warne himself and his teammates, the biography paints a comprehensive picture of his life and career, offering valuable insights and inspiration.

John Murray

January 2007

Paperback and Hardcover

5. Brian Lara: Cricket’s Troubled Genius By Brian Scovell

Cricket in the 90s was dominated by bowlers. Batsmen had to face the wrath of bowlers like Ambrose, Walsh, Wasim Akram, Murali and Warner. However, there were two batsmen the bowlers were very weary of and that were Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara. Lara was one of the greatest players of Test cricket and could get big hundreds and play long sessions. He was the captain of the West Indies cricket team three times and there was a struggle with that. This is one of the best biographical books written about cricketers and is not just a story of the world records he made with his runs but also about his turbulent career. There are details of his colourful personal life and is a complete account of this great cricketer.

May 15, 2007

6. KP – Portrait of a Rebel – The Biography of Kevin Pietersen By Marcus Stead

Kevin Pietersen is an English cricketer who is now a commentator. He was one of the most prolific run scorers and was the fastest to reach 1000 runs in ODI and has the second-highest run total in the first 25 tests behind Asutralia’s great Sir Don Bradman. He has won numerous awards and helped England win their first ICC trophy. While the achievements of this South African-born English cricketer are great, he was controversies’ favourite child. The biography Portrait of A Rebel chronicles the life and career of this great sportsman that started at the age of 17. This is one of the good books on the biography of famous cricketers if you want juicy details about his role in the Ashes 2005 victory, the controversial captaincy and more.

December, 2013

Kindle and Paperback

7. Jack Hobbs: England’s Greatest Cricketer By Leo Mckinstry

Jack Hobbs was an English cricketer who played Test matches between 1908 and 1930. He is counted as the greatest batsman in cricketing history. He was one of the heaviest run-scorers cricket has ever seen. Hobbs was a batsman who succeeded against all types of bowling and in all conditions. He is called ‘The Master’, and one wonders about his batting records if World War 1 had not happened. Hobbs has some astonishing feats, and it continues to be mentioned even after a century. But despite his contribution to the game, there was never a biography about him until Leo Mckinstry’s book. So this is one of the best biographies of this cricket player. It is a comprehensive work which details Hobbs as a cricketer and as a man. Every aspect of his story is intriguing, from his humble upbringing to his role in some explosive Test series. There are also tales of his controversies in colourful detail. It is a groundbreaking book and one of the best cricket biographies that make for great sports literature and is worth a read.

Yellow Jersey

Awards And Nominations

Shortlisted for the 2012 Cricket Book Of the Year award.

8. Don’s Century – Indra Vikram Singh

Don Bradman’s cricketing exploits are second to none. Be it his triple century in a day or his average of 99.94 as a batsman, he was the ‘God of Batting’. The book by Indra Vikram Singh is a tribute to the great man, written by an obvious cricket lover. The author has done immense research and analysis and is a study of Bradman’s batting. This is one of the top 10 biography books about cricketers. It is written in the Centenary Year of Don Bradman and is a celebration of the game of cricket, the art of batting, the life of Don and a complete survey of batting from the 1860s onwards. There are extensive details of Don’s rise from his first fifty to the other legendary feats he has achieved. The famous Bodyline bowing to vanquish Don and how he fought back is stirring and makes for an interesting read. This is one of the best Indian biography books to read written about cricketers and contains about the finest 35 batsmen cricket has seen, from WG Grace to Sachin Tendulkar to Matthew Hayden and showcases their achievements.

Sporting Links

January, 2011

9. Driven: The Virat Kohli Story By Vijay Lokapally

If you need a cricketing mascot who can show off a range of batting talent and skills in all formats of cricket, then there can be only one choice, Virat Kohli. He embraces the oldest and the most demanding format of cricket with panache and is equally at ease in the more frenetic T20 and everything between these two formats. Virat also has a unique century to his name, which is not in cricket but due to cricket. He is the first Asian celebrity to have 100M Instagram followers, and that speaks volumes about his popularity as a brand and as a cricketer.

So the biography by Vijay Lokapally raises a lot of expectations, and it surely does not fall short. It is definitely one of the best cricket biography books of Indian players . The author is a journalist who has great knowledge of the game, covering this sport for more than three decades and also knows the players, and it shows in the book. The book is simple and easy to read and has interviews with those who have seen him from his younger days. It speaks about the early influencers in Kohli’s career and how he handled his life being under the public eye from the 2008 Under -19 world cup. Driven is a must-read as it is a cricket biography book that is inspiring not just to Kohli fans but to everyone who wants to succeed in life through hard work and dedication.

Bloomsbury India

October, 2016

10. The Dhoni Touch: Unravelling The Enigma That Is Mahendra Singh Dhoni By Bharat Sundaresan

MS Dhoni is a cricketer who can induce the opposite spectrum of emotions at once. His play can raise the adrenaline, and his mere presence at the crease can induce a sense of calm. He has such a dominating presence on and off-field that people want to have a piece of him. But the thing about MS Dhoni is that despite being in the public eye, he guards his personal life and is a mystery. There may be an official biopic on him, but lets in only what he desires. So when you hear about a book about MS Dhoni, everyone is naturally curious to know what the author has unearthed. The author has unearthed some interesting stories that keep you hooked, and is one of the best cricket biography books of Indian players. He has spoken to many people who are in his inner circle before gaining fame and has added those insights. It may not be an official biography, but this is one top 10 best biographies of cricket champions with more facts than anyone can cover, and has a Dhoni stamp on the book.

Penguin Ebury Press

Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook, And Hardcover

Food and cricket are two things that every Indian, no matter which part of India they are from, unite together and also fight passionately for. Cricket is not just a sport but much more and is a collective pride of the nation. If you are an avid reader and equally a cricket lover, the above are some of the top ten of the best cricket players’ biography that every cricket lover/bibliophile should read to know their struggles, enjoy their history and get also get inspired. Let us know which one of the above cricket biography books you liked the most.

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Top 10 books written by indian cricketers.

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27 Must-Read Books on Cricket and Cricketers

For several decades now, cricket in India has been considered a religion, and its players revered as gods. With the ongoing IPL fever gripping the nation (we’d rather have IPL fever than any other kind of fever at this point), we thought you might enjoy a selection of our finest books on cricket and cricketers. Whether you’re an avid cricket enthusiast, a novice looking to learn what the fuss the is all about, or simply a fan wanting to know their idol better, there’s a gem in this list for everyone!

Did you know that ... Chandu Sarwate, Indian Test cricketer, was also a fingerprint expert?Sania Mirza is related to four Test captains, two of them Indian.In addition to roads and neighbourhoods, Sachin Tendulkar also has a racehorse, a variety of…

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A tribute to the beautiful game of cricket, played the India way.Starting with the very first Test match that India played in 1932, Indian Cricket chronicles a remarkable journey, highlighting key moments in the country's cricketing history over the last…

For twenty years, Wasim Akram let his cricket do the talking - with his electrifying left-arm pace, his explosive striking as a batsman, and his inspirational leadership. For another twenty years, he kept his own counsel about his cricketing days…

From being Champion of Champions to one of the world's top cricket commentators to Team India's head coach, Ravi Shastri has an incomparable perspective when it comes to the game of cricket. In Stargazing: The Players in My Life, the…

Bat, Ball and Field is a wonderful foray into the history and culture of cricket. ‘Hotten is not just good, he is one of the best’ Cricketer Chronicling the evolution of the sport since its earliest years, highlighting transcendent moments…

When Ramachandra Guha began following the game in the early 1960s, India was utterly marginal to the world of cricket: the country still hadn't won a Test match overseas; by the time he joined the Board of Control for Cricket…

1971 was the year that changed Indian cricket forever. Accustomed to seeing a talented but erratic Indian team go from one defeat to another, a stunned cricketing world watched in astonishment as India first beat the West Indies in a…

A page-turner of a novel set in the world of cricket in Mumbai Fourteen-year-old Manjunath Kumar knows that he is good at cricket - even if he's not as good as his elder brother Radha. He knows that he fears…

A book that views Pakistan through an unlikely medium: cricket Authors show how understanding the state of cricket in Pakistan is the key to understanding the country itself. Cricket Cauldron tackles the controversies and scandals associated with the game in Pakistan…

No Indian player has captured the imagination of cricket-lovers in the way that Yuvraj Singh has over the past decade. Fiery batsman, deceptive bowler, brilliant fielder, Yuvraj has been in the news for his remarkable skills with bat and ball,…

Sourav Ganguly is a difficult icon. He is undoubtedly one of India's most successful captains, one who moulded a new team when India was at its lowest ebb, reeling from the betting scandal. There can be no argument about his…

The 2017 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup saw the Indian team make it to the finals, and although it lost the game, the tournament marked an unprecedented high for viewership for women's cricket in India. The ensuing euphoria that followed,…

In 1996, as a teenager, Shahid Afridi shot to fame after hammering the fastest ODI century at the time. Counted among the world's greatest all-rounders, Afridi still holds the distinction of having hit the most number of sixes in the…

The definitive history of a cricket team the world loves to watch, but is at a loss to explain The story of Pakistan cricket is dramatic, tortured, heroic and tumultuous. Beginning with nothing after the Partition of 1947 to the…

Shoaib Akhtar has been one of the most colourful characters in the history of cricket. He is the fastest bowler in the world, who set an official world record by achieving the fastest delivery when he clocked in at 161.3…

In Imperfect, Sanjay Manjrekar uses his famous analytical powers to look back on his own career as a cricketer. His photographic memory takes the reader along on his journey from the dusty maidans of Mumbai to the world stage as…

Who killed Hansie Cronje and Bob Woolmer? Have players from the national squad been involved in match-fixing? Is suspending IPL teams punishment enough for erring franchise owners? Should betting be made legal in India as advised by the Lodha Committee?…

A brilliant anthology of essays on Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi with a foreword by Sharmila Tagore Essays by: Farokh Engineer, Abbas Ali Baig, Bishan Bedi, Mike Brearley, David Woolley, Naseeruddin Shah, Sunil Gavaskar, Ian Chappell, N. Ram, Tony Lewis, Vijay Merchant, M.J.…

With hundred centuries and over 34,000 runs in international cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, the highest run-getter in both Tests and ODIs, is the God of the religion called cricket. His exploits on the field have brought hope and joy to millions…

How does a batsman concentrate? Just how is a player 'in form' or 'out of form'? Are preparations for Tests, ODIs and T20s really very different? Why do certain teams 'crumble badly under pressure' while others 'choke'? And, really, what…

Impact Index is a revolutionary new way of examining numbers in cricket. It is a deep dive into the very mechanics of the game, which results in the unearthing of truly surprising - sometimes shocking - stories. Within these pages…

Which charismatic Kiwi batsman is also the cousin of Oscar-winning Hollywood actor Russell Crowe?Which South Africa-born motivational speaker played a key role in India's 2011 World Cup win and Germany's 2014 FIFA World Cup victory?Which former cricketer, besides being a…

The HarperCollins Book of World Cup Trivia

In Eye on Cricket, Samir Chopra, a professor of philosophy and a long-time blogger at ESPNcricinfo, offers us a deeply personal take on a game that has entranced him his entire life in the several lands he has called home.In…

Cricket as we know it may soon be no more. Thanks to Twenty20, technology, media, and the sheer financial power of Indian cricket, the gentleman's game is on the brink of radical changes. Nation-based cups might give way to T20…

The riveting story of one of cricket's superstars Ricky Ponting-unarguably one of cricket's greats-looks back on his remarkable life and career in this tell-all autobiography. With his customary honesty and candour, Ponting reflects on a lifetime at the crease - from childhood…

MATTHEW Hayden was one of the most commanding batsmen the game has ever seen - and one of its great enigmas. A devout Catholic, and a ruthless on-field sledger. A brutal enforcer, and a soft-hearted family man. The Australian record-holder for…

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Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid And Other Must-Read Biographies of Indian Cricketing Icons

Cricket, often dubbed as a religion in India, has witnessed the rise of numerous legends who have left an indelible mark on the sport. Their journeys, laden with challenges and triumphs, have been chronicled in captivating biographies, offering readers a glimpse into the lives of these remarkable individuals. In this article, we delve into the must-read stories of Indian cricketing icons whose biographies inspire and resonate with cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

Sachin Tendulkar: “Playing It My Way”

Widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography, “Playing It My Way,” is a riveting account of his unparalleled cricketing journey. From his debut as a precocious teenager to becoming the epitome of cricketing excellence, Tendulkar’s story is a testament to perseverance and dedication. The book provides insights into his meticulous approach to the game, the pressures of fame, and the unwavering support of his fans. Tendulkar’s humility and passion shine through the pages, making it a must-read for cricket enthusiasts of all ages.

Rahul Dravid: “The Nice Guy Who Finished First”

Known for his impeccable technique and unwavering resolve, Rahul Dravid earned the moniker “The Wall” for his ability to withstand the toughest of challenges on the cricket field. The Nice Guy Who Finished First is the remarkable story of Rahul Sharad Dravid. It tells the tale of an individual who succeeded in his chosen profession because of his ardent faith in the five Ds—Dedication, Discipline, Determination, Devotion and Desire. It is a tribute to an epitome of grace and humility, and a role model who refused to rest on his laurels, always lived in the ‘here and now’ and did whatever he could do to achieve long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes

MS Dhoni: “The Man, The Leader”

Captain Cool, as he is fondly known, MS Dhoni revolutionised Indian cricket with his astute leadership and calm demeanour under pressure. His biography, “The Man, The Leader,” provides a fascinating glimpse into the enigmatic persona of one of India’s most successful captains. From his humble beginnings in Ranchi to lifting the World Cup trophy in 2011, Dhoni’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. The book captures his unconventional approach to captaincy, his ability to inspire his teammates, and his remarkable decision-making skills. Dhoni’s story transcends cricket, offering valuable insights into leadership and self-belief.

Kapil Dev: “Straight from the Heart”

Kapil Dev etched his name in cricketing folklore by leading India to its first-ever World Cup triumph in 1983. His biography, “Straight from the Heart,” encapsulates the journey of a young boy from Haryana who dared to dream big. Kapil’s infectious enthusiasm for the game, coupled with his never-say-die attitude, endeared him to millions of fans across the globe. The book delves into his illustrious career, highlighting the highs and lows, the triumphs and tribulations. Kapil’s story is a testament to the power of self-belief and resilience in the face of adversity.

Sunil Gavaskar: “Sunny Days”

Sunil Gavaskar’s contribution to Indian cricket goes beyond his prolific run-scoring abilities. His biography, “Sunny Days,” offers a candid account of his journey from a budding cricketer in Mumbai to becoming the first man to surpass 10,000 runs in Test cricket. Gavaskar’s meticulous approach to batting, his battles against some of the finest bowlers of his era, and his unwavering commitment to the game are vividly portrayed in the book. “Sunny Days” is not just a celebration of Gavaskar’s cricketing achievements but also a reflection of his indomitable spirit and passion for the sport.

Virat Kohli: “Driven: The Virat Kohli Story”

Virat Kohli’s meteoric rise in international cricket has been nothing short of spectacular. His biography, “Driven: The Virat Kohli Story,” provides a fascinating insight into the mind of one of cricket’s modern-day icons. From his fearless approach to batting to his evolution as a leader, Kohli’s journey is a testament to his insatiable hunger for success. The book delves into his personal and professional life, highlighting the sacrifices and hardships that shaped his extraordinary career. “Driven” is a compelling read that captures the essence of Kohli’s relentless pursuit of excellence on and off the field.

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Sourav Ganguly: “A Century is Not Enough”

Sourav Ganguly, fondly known as Dada, revitalised Indian cricket with his bold leadership and aggressive style of play. His autobiography, “A Century is Not Enough,” chronicles his journey from a precocious talent in Kolkata to one of India’s most successful captains. Ganguly’s charisma, tactical acumen, and never-say-die attitude endeared him to fans around the world. The book offers a fascinating insight into the challenges he faced, both on and off the field, and the triumphs that defined his illustrious career. “A Century is Not Enough” is a testament to Ganguly’s indomitable spirit and his enduring legacy in Indian cricket

Anil Kumble: “Wide Angle”

Anil Kumble’s journey from a humble background to becoming India’s highest wicket-taker in Test cricket is nothing short of inspirational. His autobiography, “Wide Angle,” provides a fascinating insight into the mind of one of the game’s most astute cricketers. Kumble’s relentless work ethic, indomitable spirit, and unwavering commitment to excellence shine through the pages of the book. From his memorable 10-wicket haul against Pakistan to his leadership stint as India’s head coach, “Wide Angle” offers readers a glimpse into the life of a true cricketing legend.

Virender Sehwag: “Nawab of Najafgarh”

Virender Sehwag’s audacious stroke play and fearless approach to batting made him one of the most entertaining cricketers of his generation. His autobiography, “Nawab of Najafgarh,” traces his journey from the dusty streets of Najafgarh to the pinnacle of international cricket. Sehwag’s candid narrative offers insights into his unorthodox style of play, his battles against top bowlers, and the highs and lows of his cricketing career. “Nawab of Najafgarh ” is a celebration of Sehwag’s flamboyance and his unique ability to dominate opposition bowlers with effortless ease.

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Top 10 Books Written By Indian Cricketers

For Indians, ‘Cricket’ is not just a game but an emotion and dream of 140 crore people. It is a game people follow religiously, and the World Cups and the IPL are considered festivals. Cricket’s played in every corner of the streets of India, and it is a dream, an aspiration for children to play cricket internationally. Indian Cricketers are an inspiration to many people. However, people only get to know them on-field. Their off-field journey is often untold, and many of them have written books of their journey to have made it big. Here are the ‘Top 10’ autobiographies and biographies of Indian Cricketers .

1. Playing It My Way

Since cricket is a religion in India, the ‘God’ of Cricket is Sachin Tendulkar. ‘Playing It My Way’ is an autobiography of the legend himself. The book describes his journey from his debut in international cricket to his final farewell at the Wankhede stadium. This book, written by the Bharat Ratna, has a rating of 4.5 and is a best-seller.

2. A Century Is Not Enough

‘A Century Is Not Enough: My roller-coaster Ride to Success’ is an autobiography based on the life of Saurav Ganguly, the former Indian captain. The book describes the ups and downs he faced in his career, from his debut in international cricket, the World Cups, his exit from cricket, and his powerful comeback, and it has a rating of 4.5

‘Believe: What Life and Cricket Taught Me’ is an autobiography of the former Indian Cricketer Suresh Raina. Bharat Sundaresan is the co-author of the book. It is a valuable book that describes his journey as a young cricketer . It also has some invaluable life lessons that he has learned through his journey.

4. Yuvraj Singh: The Test Of My Life

‘The Test of My Life: From Cricket to Cancer and Back’ is an autobiography based on the life of Yuvraj Singh. Sharda Ugra and Nishant Jeet Arora are co-authors of the book. This book has two stories - Yuvraj Singh, the cricketer and a role model , and the second part is his battle against cancer. It also has a rating of 4.5

5. 281 And Beyond

‘281 and Beyond’ is an autobiography written by VVS Laxman. R Kaushik is the co-author of the book. VVS Laxman is renowned for his historic knock of 281 against Australia. The book contains many events from the author’s life and his learnings from the unpleasant situations that Team India went through. An inspiring read for aspirational cricketers.

6. Straight from the Heart

‘Straight from the Heart’ is an autobiography written by the former Captain of the Indian team , Kapil Dev. The first captain to bring the World Cup in 1983 published this autobiography in 2004. It is a motivational and encouraging book, a must-read for all cricket fans, with a 3.5 rating.

7. Sunny Days

‘Sunny Days’ is an autobiography penned by the former Indian Captain, Sunil Gavaskar. The book is in chronological order, series by series. It was published in 1976. It is a great read to know about how different cricket was in the 70s when there was no DRS system used.

8. Chase Your Dreams

‘Chase Your Dreams’ is another autobiography of the master blaster - Sachin Tendulkar. This autobiography describes his life as a kid and how he chose cricket. He is an inspiration for many young children, and this book may help them, motivate, and inspire them through the journeys and events in the book.

9. Wide Angle

‘Wide Angle’ is an autobiography of Anil Kumble. He is one of the greatest players, with eight 10-wicket hauls in his entire career. Kumble is highly passionate about photography as well. In this book, we get to see many of the photographs he has captured, be it on the field, off-field, inside the dressing room, and from his travels.

10. Imperfect

‘Imperfect’ is an autobiography of Sanjay Manjrekar, a former Indian cricketer. This book is about Manjrekar’s life, career, success and failures, and strengths and weaknesses. He writes about his experiences, learnings, and his obsession with perfection. This book is not just for cricket lovers; it is for everyone, as it has invaluable life lessons.

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Top 10 Books written by Indian cricketers

In this blog let us know about the books of cricketers.

Cricket is a sport that is followed religiously in many parts of the world. The game has produced some of the finest athletes and sportsmen in the world. Many cricketers have also been known for their writing skills and have penned down some excellent books over the years. In this article, we will take a look at 10 such books that have been penned down by cricketers.

Table of Contents

2. Sourav Ganguly – A Century Is Not Enough

Sourav Ganguly's book – A Century Is Not Enough

Credit

Checking the books of cricketers by Indian Cricketers, Sourav Ganguly has written the book A century is not enough

Century is not enough accounts for the life and career of one of cricket’s most successful captains, Sourav Ganguly.

The book chronicles Ganguly’s journey from his days as a talented young cricketer to his eventual retirement from the game.

Ganguly’s writing style is engaging and candid, and the book is filled with exciting and honest stories and anecdotes from his career.

3. Virat Kohli – Driven: The Virat Kohli Story

Checking the books of cricketers by Indian Cricketers, Virat Kohli has written the book Driven: The Virat Kohli Story.

Driven: The Virat Kohli Story is an account of the life and career of one of cricket’s most popular players, Virat Kohli.

The book chronicles Kohli’s journey from his days as a talented young cricketer to his eventual rise to the top of the game.

The book contains fascinating stories and anecdotes from Kohli’s career, and his writing is entertaining and open. With this book, you will learn the background and journey of Virat Kohli, the former captain of the Indian cricket team.

After reading this book, you will understand why he is called the ‘phenomenon of cricket’.

4. MS Dhoni – Captain Cool

Checking the books of cricketers by Indian Cricketers, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has written the book “Captain Cool”.

The biography and career of MS Dhoni, one of cricket’s most successful captains, are described in this article.

The book’s narrative follows Dhoni’s development from a young, gifted cricketer to his ultimate ascent to the pinnacle of the sport.

The book is chock-full of amusing stories and anecdotes from Dhoni’s career, and his writing is engaging and open.

5. Rahul Dravid – Timeless Steel: An Autobiography

Checking the books of cricketers by Indian Cricketers, Rahul Dravid has written the book Timeless steel (Autobiography)

Rahul Dravid is one of the most successful batsmen in the world. He is the only player to have scored 10,000 runs in both Test and ODI cricket.

He has also been conferred with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award.

In this book, Dravid talks about his childhood, his cricketing journey, and his significant ups and downs. He also talks about when he was dropped from the team and how he returned with a bang.

6. VVS Laxman – 281 and Beyond

Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath at the book launch of '281 And Beyond'

Credit

Checking the books of cricketers by Indian Cricketers, Laxman has written the book 281 and beyond.

VVS Laxman is one of the most successful batsmen in the world. He is best known for his match-winning knock of 281 against Australia in the 2001 Test series.

He has also been conferred with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award. The book is a biography of Indian cricketer VVS Laxman.

It chronicles his life and career, from his early days playing cricket in Hyderabad to his test match triumphs. 281 and Beyond is an inspiring story of one of India’s greatest cricketing heroes.

It is a must-read for all cricket fans. Laxman’s story is one of hard work, determination and talent. He is a true inspiration to all aspiring cricketers.

The book was written by Vaibhav Vaidya and published by Rupa Publications.

7. Anil Kumble – Wide Angle

Anil Kumble all smiles after biography release

Checking the books of cricketers by Indian Cricketers, Anil Kumble has written the book, Wide Angle

Anil Kumble is one of the most successful bowlers in the world. He is the only bowler to have taken all ten wickets in a Test inning.

He has also been conferred with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award. Anil Kumble – Wide Angle is the story of one of India’s greatest cricketing minds.

It chronicles his journey from a small town in Karnataka to the top of the world game and reveals the man behind the legend. Written with insight and clarity, Anil Kumble – Wide Angle is a must-read for cricket fans and anyone interested in the game.

It is an engaging, well- researched and insightful book that gives the reader an insight into the life and times of one of India’s greatest cricketing minds.

8. Yuvraj Singh – The Test of My Life

Checking the books of cricketers by Indian Cricketers, Yuvraj Singh has written the book the test of my life.

Yuvraj Singh is one of the most successful batsmen in the world. He is best known for his match-winning knock of 84 against Australia in the 2003 World Cup.

He has also been conferred with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award. In this book, he talks about his cricketing journey, his struggles, and his triumphs.

The Test of My Life is also about his journey from the cricket field to the hospital bed and back again. It is a story of hope, courage, determination, and inspiration.

The book brings to light the emotional turmoil that he went through and how he emerged victorious from it.

9. Kapil Dev-The Autobiography of Kapil Dev

Checking the books of cricketers by Indian Cricketers, Kapil Dev has written the Autobiography of Kapil Dev

The Autobiography of Kapil Dev is a book by the famous Indian cricketer Kapil Dev. It was published in 2002 by HarperCollins.

In the book, Kapil Dev narrates his cricketing journey from his early days to his retirement.

He also talks about the ups and downs of his career and how he overcame them. Kapil Dev’s autobiography is an inspirational story of a great cricketer who achieved success against all odds. It is a must-read for all cricket lovers and aspiring cricketers.

The book was reviewed positively by critics and was a bestseller. Kapil Dev’s autobiography is an inspirational story of a great cricketer who achieved success against all odds.

10. Sunil Gavaskar-Sunny Days

Checking the books of cricketers by Indian Cricketers, Sunil Gavaskar has written the book Sunny Days

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian batsman, has penned a book on cricket titled ‘Sunny Days’. Boria Majumdar has co-authored the book.

It was launched by cricket greats Kapil Dev, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble. HarperCollins have published the book.

The book is a collection of Gavaskar’s articles that he wrote for various publications over the years. The book captures the journey of Indian cricket from the days of the Raj to the modern era. The book also has a special section on Gavaskar’s cricket journey.

The book has been very well received by critics and praised for its insight into the game of cricket.

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general knowledge

List of Biographies and Autobiographies of famous Cricketers

There are many famous cricketers have written their autobiography and biograpy after their retirement from the cricket. the name of autobiography of sachin tendulkar is “playing it my way” while the biography (sunny days) of sunil gavaskar is written by the m.l. jaisimha .

An autobiography is a self-written description of the life of oneself. While biography is an account of someone's life written by someone else.

The basic reason behind the writing a autobiography or biography is to disperse the struggled life to the general public or the fans. Sometime the author want to earn money through these books.


Cricket Delightful (1967)
One More Over (1977)
Sunny Days (1977)
Imran (1983)

Wasim (1998)
Courtney: Heart of the Lion (1999)
White Lightning Allan Donald (1999)
Aravinda: My Autobiography (1999)
Sir Vivian: The Definitive Autobiography (2000)
Shane Warne: My
Menace: The Autobiography (2003)
Cutting Edge: My Autobiography (2004)
Playing with Fire: The Autobiography (2004)
Straight from the Heart (2004)
Gazza: The Gary Kirsten Autobiography (2004)
Calling The Shots (2005)
Out of My Comfort Zone (2006)
The Nice Guy Who Finished First (2006)
Portrait of a Flawed Genius (2007)
Cricket's Troubled Genius (2007)
The Definitive Biography (2008)
Line and Strength (2008)
True Colours (2008)
. Portrait of a Rebel (2009)
. Standing My Ground (2010)
Jack Hobbs: England's Greatest Cricketer (2011)
Don's Century (2011)
. Controversially Yours (2011)
To The Point (2011)
. Brett Lee: My Life (2011)
The Test of My Life: From Cricket to Cancer and Back (2012)
Ponting: At the Close of Play (2013)
Playing It My Way (2014)
. AB de Villiers - The Autobiography (2016)
Driven: The Virat Kohli Story (2016)
The Journey (2017)
A Century Is Not Enough (2018)
No Spin: My Autobiography (2018)
Moeen (2018)
281 and Beyond (2018)

So this was the list of biographies and Autobiographies of some great cricketers of the world. But unfortunately the price of most of these books is too much high and another setback is that these books are written in English language so the reach of these books is limited to very few people.

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Nonfiction Books » Sports, Games & Hobbies » Cricket

The best books on indian cricket, recommended by prashant kidambi.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2020 Wolfson History Prize

Cricket Country: An Indian Odyssey in the Age of Empire by Prashant Kidambi

South Asia has become the beating heart of cricket, with wild enthusiasm for the game at every level of society. Historian Prashant Kidambi —whose book, Cricket Country , was shortlisted for the 2020 Wolfson History Prize—takes us through the history of cricket in India, from its traditional, colonial roots through to the colourful, frenetic national game of today.

Interview by Benedict King

Stray Thoughts on Indian Cricket by J M Framjee Patel

History of Indian Cricket by Edward Docker

Patrons, Players, and the Crowd: The Phenomenon of Indian Cricket by Richard Cashman

A Corner of a Foreign Field: The Indian History of a British Sport by Ramachandra Guha

Migrant Races: Empire, Identity and K.S. Ranjitsinhji by Satadru Sen

The best books on Indian Cricket - Stray Thoughts on Indian Cricket by J M Framjee Patel

1 Stray Thoughts on Indian Cricket by J M Framjee Patel

2 history of indian cricket by edward docker, 3 patrons, players, and the crowd: the phenomenon of indian cricket by richard cashman, 4 a corner of a foreign field: the indian history of a british sport by ramachandra guha, 5 migrant races: empire, identity and k.s. ranjitsinhji by satadru sen.

T he million-dollar question I wanted to ask you before we talk about the books is: why is cricket so phenomenally popular in India ? And, I suppose, that is a question we should ask of Pakistan and Sri Lanka as well.

Yes. It’s true of most of South Asia.

That was the line of argument pursued by Ashis Nandy in his book The Tao of Cricket . I haven’t put that book on my list because I find the arguments in it problematic. Also, the book is not really a history of Indian cricket. It uses cricket to fashion larger arguments about India’s modernity.

Essentially, Nandy’s key thesis is that if you want to explain why cricket became popular in India, you have to understand that cricket’s core values resonated with traditional Indian notions of selfhood and hierarchy.

One problem with this line of argument about the ‘non-modernity’ of cricket is that cricket started off as an urban game in India. It was a game of the modern cities and towns. As I point out in my book, it was in the cities that the game first took root. It was also the English-educated Indians who were first exposed to the game in schools and colleges and who were its biggest votaries.

More recently, if you look at the form of the game that is most popular in India, it’s not the five-day test cricket. It’s the frenetic T20 game.

My own view is that cricket took off in India and remains popular for two reasons. One, it became bound up with colonial modernity and power. For many who embraced the game in India early on—the Parsis, for example—cricket became a way of defining their masculinity. It was seen as a game whose values were those of civilized masculinity and it was associated with British power.

There were other elites who took to the game—the Indian princes, for example—as a way of affirming their standing in the eyes of the British imperial establishment. For Indian elites, the game was like a currency of power.

“Cricket started off as an urban game in India. It was a game of the modern cities and towns”

Cricket was like a charismatic object or ritual that miraculously opened doors. If one played cricket, one might be able to fraternize with Englishmen; many of the clubs in the late 19th century were organised on racial lines. There was scope to fraternise on the cricket field in a society where racial interactions were strictly circumscribed and limited.

If you were an Indian prince, cricket also provided a very subtle way of communicating to your English minders, or your English interlocutors, that you were ‘civilized’. That’s one dynamic that explains why cricket was taken up by the elites in the sub-continent, who were also its most enthusiastic promoters and patrons.

But you can also see a second logic that’s at play from the mid-nineteenth century in Bombay, but increasingly takes root across India over the course of the late 19th and early 20th centuries: cricket becomes a popular sport in urban centres. It is played by youths at colleges and schools in all the big public grounds— maidans , as they are known. One could call this a movement ‘from below’, in which cricket appeals to Indian youth at many different levels.

Obviously, there is the aesthetic quality of the sport—that it has a particular kind of kinaesthetic pleasure to it—the physical dexterity involved in playing the game, the sweet sound of bat hitting ball, and so on. But cricket also facilitates forms of sociability. Youths at colleges and schools formed clubs, for example, and so it became an integral part of urban public culture. And what defines that urban public culture is its association with a certain notion of modernity. Cricket is not attractive because it’s a pre-modern game; it’s attractive precisely because it’s a modern game. This is also a more ‘demotic’ view of the sport’s spread, in that clubs are formed because of the game’s burgeoning popularity.

I’ve restricted my choices here to history books, but a famous writer whose work perfectly illustrates this phenomenon is R K Narayan. He created and wrote copiously about a fictional small town called Malgudi, set in south India. His first novel was called Swami and Friends , and the story revolves around a group of school boys in Malgudi coming together to form a cricket club. Swami, the chief protagonist, is nicknamed ‘Tate’ by his friends after the famous English bowler, Maurice Tate . It’s a fictional representation of the process I outlined, of cricket taking root from below.

Cricket’s public career in India can thus be explained in these two ways. One channel is through the promoters drawn from the Indian elites, who take to the game because it served as a route to social prestige and allowed them to fraternize with the imperial establishment. Secondly, there’s the historical dynamic unfolding from below, its entrenchment at the grassroots level. In some places, the institutional culture became quite dense by the early twentieth century. In Bombay, for instance, there emerged school clubs, college clubs, office clubs—with tournaments and a very rich institutional culture that then shaped the city’s public culture.

By looking at the interaction of these two dynamics, we can get a sense of the emergent cultural and political significance of cricket, which became increasingly important as time went on. In the late 19th century that political significance was very much about trying to gain recognition for Indian cricket, which is why the Parsis, for example, undertook tours of England in the 1880s. But by the 1920s, you can also see an anti-colonial sentiment coming into play on the cricket pitch, where beating the Englishman at cricket became a way of refuting racial theories that held that Indians were physically inferior to Europeans.

Before we get the books Indian cricket books you’re recommending, what story does your own book, Cricket Country , tell?

On the face of it, it’s a book about the first ‘All India’ cricket team to take to the cricket pitch and its tour of Great Britain and Ireland in the summer of 1911. I take that event and then I try to tell the story of early Indian cricket. But I also look at what it can tell us about the nature of colonial India and its relationship with British imperial power.

People don’t really remember this event and if they do it is regarded as part of the pre-history of Indian cricket, the years before 1932 when India acquired ‘Test’ status.

I wanted to uncover not only a long-forgotten event—the first ‘All India’ cricket tour of Great Britain and Ireland—but also reconstruct the texture of an entire epoch in the Indo-British relationship. The event was very interesting in itself because it was the first time an ‘All India’ team was formed. There had been an All India team in 1893, but that team consisted largely of Europeans. The 1911 team was the first properly representative Indian cricket team. It was led by a prince, the 19-year-old Bhupinder Singh, Maharajah of Patiala. Players were chosen on the basis of religious identity. It had Hindus, Muslims and Parsis. Two of the players were Dalits—so-called ‘Untouchables’—looked down on by the Hindu upper castes and discriminated against in horrendous ways. So, the team itself is fascinating and 1911 was a key year because it was the year the capital of British India was moved from Calcutta to Delhi. It was the year of the coronation of George V in London. He was the first monarch to visit India.

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As the research proceeded, I began to uncover a number of themes that I found engrossing. One was the central role of the Parsis in the history of Indian cricket. The members of this Anglicised community were the first Indians to take to cricket. So, the book really begins with the story of Parsi cricket in Bombay in the mid-nineteenth century.

I narrate the story of how the emergence of India as a new cricket-playing entity led to interest in India as a destination for cricket teams from Britain. Cricket became part of a new imperial cultural diplomacy. Colonial India emerged at the same time as the Caribbean and South Africa as a destination for visiting imperial sides. The matches between these visiting European teams and Indian cricket teams were politically charged affairs, which demonstrate the early political significance of cricket in India. Beating the English on the cricket pitch became hugely symbolic. As an aside, it is worth mentioning that in 2001 the Indian film nominated for the Oscars was Lagaan , a fictional story about an Indian village taking on a British Army regiment at cricket. The box-office success of the film shows how in India cricket’s political significance transcends the sport itself.

Cricket Country also reconstructs the successive attempts to put together the first Indian cricket team; each of these schemes failed. The first attempt to put together an Indian cricket team was in 1898. The promoters of the venture tried to build the team around the figure of Prince Ranjitsinhji , who had emerged in the mid-1890s as a cricketing superstar in Britain, the most popular cricketer after W G Grace .

He played for England. In fact, he captained England, didn’t he?

He played for England, but not as captain; that would have been a step too far for the racial order of the time! Ranji, as he was known, also represented Cambridge University and Sussex . He was an astonishing cricketer, who completely transformed the game. He not only introduced a new stroke—the leg glance—but also played in a manner that was completely different from his English contemporaries.

By this time, cricket in colonial India had taken off in a big way. The Parsis had been followed by the Hindus and Muslims. That in itself is very interesting. Cricket in colonial India was attached to the notion of community. There was this idea that India was essentially a land of communities and cricket too was shaped by that perception. Cricket in India was organized on the lines of religious communities. You had Hindu teams, Parsi teams, Muslim teams, and the ‘Europeans’ (itself an interesting term in this context).

In 1899-1900, cricket promoters in India tried to forge an Indian cricket team around Ranji, but Ranji didn’t want to have anything to do with this. He had come back to India with a very different agenda.

Ranji had been adopted as a young child by the ruler of Nawanagar (in the Kathiawar peninsula) but was then cast aside when his father had a son by another queen. Although he was discarded, his father put him through the college for princes at Rajkot, and then paid for his studies at Cambridge. Even after he became a famous cricketer, Ranji felt that he had been hard done by, that he was the rightful heir to the Nawanagar throne. So, Ranji tried to use his cricketing celebrity in England to reclaim the crown that he felt he had been unfairly deprived of in India. That was his political aim following his father’s death in 1895.

This reinforces the point I made earlier: that for some princes, cricket was a way of furthering political ends. So, that first attempt to build an Indian cricket side failed. Ranji saw himself as an English cricketer. He didn’t see himself as an Indian cricketer and he was very worried that if he led an Indian cricket team to England, then his right to play for England would be called into question by critics in Britain.

In 1902-03, a team from England called the Oxford Authentics arrived in colonial India to play a series of matches across the subcontinent. This was one of those eccentric Oxbridge creations, an amateur side comprising cricketers of varying levels of ability, who played the game for fun and sociability. This team travelled around India and many of the Indian cricket teams did very well against them. So, the cry went out again, ‘Come on, the time has come to form a common Indian cricket team.’ The West Indians had formed a team in 1900, so there was an added sense that India should be able to do it too.

At the same time, Europeans in the subcontinent had started to get alarmed because the standard of cricket among expatriates stationed in colonial India had started to decline. They felt that English teams would no longer come out to India because of the poor quality of European cricket. But if an Indian cricket team could be stitched together, they reasoned, then perhaps that would encourage English teams to come out. As a result, many Europeans got involved in the project to put together an Indian cricket team, comprising Hindus, Parsis and Muslims, to tour England in the summer of 1904.

That venture got off the ground, but at the final selection meeting there was a breakdown in the negotiations between the Hindus, Muslims and Parsis about the representation of each community within the team. At the last minute, the plug was pulled because the Parsis would not agree to the Hindu and Muslim demands that the team ought to include more Hindus and Muslims. Once again, then, the attempt to put together a composite Indian team failed.

“In terms of politics and politicians, cricket in India has served as a vehicle for political self-advancement and a source of prestige and power”

Finally, you get this attempt in 1911, which really kicks off in 1909. There’s a political context to that too. Between 1904 and 1909, politics in India was dramatically transformed. Lord Curzon had tried to partition Bengal in 1905. There was massive anti-colonial protest: the Swadeshi movement. That movement petered out after two years but, by 1907, there emerged what British officials called the problem of ‘Indian sedition’. Young Indians took to the gun and the bomb, trying to assassinate British officials. One of the most dramatic acts of revolutionary violence occurred in London in July 1909, when an official at the India Office called Curzon Wyllie was assassinated by an Indian student called Madan Lal Dhingra.

It is against this backdrop that Indian cricket promoters, especially business houses like the Tatas—who were the premier Indian businessmen of their time—and princes, came together to revive the idea of sending an Indian cricket team to Britain. Conservative commentators in Britain had started arguing that if Indian students were going to ‘misuse’ their freedom of entry into Britain to assassinate Europeans, then perhaps their entry into the country ought to be stopped. For those who regarded themselves as British Indians, sending an Indian cricket team to Britain was an attempt to affirm India’s loyalty to the British Empire.

There is, of course, a great irony here. When you think of the Indian cricket team today, it is a source of jingoism and hyper-nationalism. When India plays against Pakistan, for instance, it is a case of ‘war minus the shooting’. But the first-ever Indian cricket team was formed by an alliance of Indian cricket promoters, businessmen and princes, working in tandem with British politicians, powerful figures in the cricket establishment, professional coaches, and journalists. The coalition was very much a product of empire, not an act of resistance to it. It was created by empire loyalists.

Let’s move on to the books you’ve chosen. The first one is J M Framjee Patel’s Stray Thoughts on Indian Cricket. What story does it tell and why did you choose it?

This book was published in 1905, so unless you’re somebody who’s deeply interested in the history of Indian cricket, you’re unlikely to have heard of it. It is not a particularly original book in the way it is composed because Framjee Patel mostly based his account on previously published books. In fact, the most fascinating, and easily the most perceptive, text on early Indian cricket was published in 1897 by a man called Shapoorjee Sorabjee . This was a history of Parsi cricket, which had a very interesting pamphlet appended to it. The Struggle: Polo versus Cricket narrates the extraordinary story of a bitter conflict between Parsi and Indian cricketers and European polo players on the Bombay maidan. Ideally, I would have included Sorabjee’s pamphlet. But, as it focuses exclusively on Parsi cricket, I think it may be more appropriate to begin with Framjee Patel’s book.

Stray Thoughts could legitimately be called the first proper history of Indian cricket. Unlike earlier histories of Indian cricket, which were essentially histories of Parsi cricket, Patel’s book tells the story of all the different communities who took to cricket in the subcontinent during the nineteenth century.

It was published shortly after the collapse of the venture to send the first-ever Indian cricket team to England in 1904. Framjee Patel had been a key player in the negotiations. He was the representative of Parsi cricket when that attempt to put together a team failed and he was blamed by many sections of public opinion. He was blamed by Europeans, criticized by Hindus and Muslims, and the cricket promoters, all of whom believed that it was his machinations that prevented the tour from going ahead. Alongside recounting the history of Indian cricket, he also used the book to defend his actions and refute his critics.

Stray Thoughts is dedicated to Lord Harris, Governor of Bombay between 1890 and 1895, and a hugely influential figure in the MCC . The book is interesting because it is a classic text of empire loyalism—it is suffused with the idea that British rule was good for India and that Indians should be regarded as British in their values because of their enthusiastic take-up of cricket. Moreover, he believed fervently that cricket could unite rulers and ruled.

Stray Thoughts contains interesting material on cricket among the different Indian communities. But it’s real value to the historian lies in its expression of a certain kind of empire loyalism that became increasingly rare after the end of the First World War . It is very much a product of its context: just before the first major anti-colonial protest movement, the Swadeshi movement of 1905-07.

Was Framjee Patel himself a cricketer?

Yes, he was. He had captained the Parsi team in the early 1890s. His family had been closely involved with Parsi cricket since its inception. He had close connections to the British cricket establishment, the MCC, and to rich businessmen in Bombay. He was able to knit together very different worlds. You could say he was India’s first great cricket promoter and publicist, the first great cricketing impresario.

Was he involved in the 1911 tour?

Yes, Framjee Patel was a key figure in the scheme to send an Indian cricket team to Britain in 1911. In the years immediately after the 1904 venture failed, he tried to revive the idea. In the summer of 1906, he went to England to pursue the scheme. His visit that year coincided with the visit to England of the second West Indian team, comprising black and white players. An official reception in honour of the West Indian cricketers was hosted at the Oval by the Surrey County Cricket Club. Framjee Patel was a guest at this event and expressed his intention to bring out an Indian cricket team. Once again, he pinned his hopes on Ranji, and yet again he was to be disappointed. Eventually, in 1909, shortly after Curzon Wyllie’s assassination, Patel revived the idea of sending an Indian cricket team to Britain. Over the next two years, he played a very important role in bringing this team together.

Among Framjee Patel’s key achievements in making the 1911 All India tour possible was the truce that he brought about between Parsi and Hindu cricketers. Between 1905 and 1909, relations between Hindus and Parsis on the cricket pitch had steadily deteriorated. After Framjee Patel returned from England in 1906, he set about settling the differences between Hindus and Parsis. This helped to pave the way for the formation of the first Indian cricket team.

What became of him in the end? Did he live on beyond independence?

Let’s move on to Edward Docker’s A History of Indian Cricket (1976) . This book covers the period from the 1920s to the 1970s, doesn’t it?

Framjee Patel’s book tells the story of Indian cricket up to 1905. Docker’s book takes the story forward from the 1920s to the 1970s. He commenced work on this book shortly after India had famously secured, in quick succession, overseas victories against the West Indies and England in 1971. My reason for including this book is a personal one. It’s the first proper cricket book that I read and it made a deep impression on me.

A History of Indian Cricket starts off with a very arresting account of a match that took place at the Bombay Gymkhana in December 1926. This contest was between Arthur Gilligan’s visiting MCC team and an All India team; interestingly, this was the first time after 1911 that a team representing ‘All India’ took to the field. The book opens with a riveting description of the astonishing innings played in this match by C K Nayudu, who went on to become one of the most popular Indian cricketers in the 1930s. In a little over two hours, Nayudu scored 153 against the visiting Englishmen, an innings studded with astonishing shots that repeatedly sailed over the boundary. If the innings was sensational, Docker’s narrative made it even more so in the imagination of a ten-year old reader. Although I did not understand much of Docker’s text, the description of that Nayudu knock, and its political symbolism, stayed with me for a long time.

Docker’s book contains fascinating vignettes and lurid stories. It recounts in rich detail the intrigues and petty politics of Indian cricket. It doesn’t investigate the structural features and social context of the game. But the narrative is very racy. We get a vivid picture of individuals trying to outdo each other; it is a tale dominated by skulduggery, sharp elbows, personal animosities, and backstabbing. The book captures the flavour of the leading cricketing personalities of the time. It shows how, from the outset, Indian cricket was dominated by powerful individuals. In Docker’s account, the history of Indian cricket is essentially the story of these individuals and their changing fortunes. Moreover, this account is very much about India in the international (Test match) arena.

Still, the book is based on considerable primary research, especially the use of contemporary newspapers. It’s written in very accessible prose, too, it’s a page-turner.

I’m interested in understanding changing attitudes to cricket before and after independence. You mentioned that opposition to British rule in India became far more widespread and militant in the 1920s. Did that lead to people rejecting cricket as an imperialist cultural phenomenon? And was there any comparable move to reject or marginalise cricket as ‘un-Indian’ after 1947?

That’s a very good question. I write about this in my book, but one of the reasons that the 1911 cricket team was so quickly forgotten about in subsequent decades is that it was an expression of empire loyalism. After 1918, the relations between India and Britain changed very dramatically. There were two reasons for this.

First, imperial Britain disappointed Indian nationalists because it was reluctant to offer substantial concessions to Indian demands for self-representation. Indian nationalists felt that India had made a huge contribution to the war effort and hence their demands for greater representation demanded substantive reforms in the structure of colonial governance. Instead, the colonial authorities in India extended the wartime restrictions on civil liberties, in the form of the infamous ‘Rowlatt Act’. The protest that followed catapulted Mahatma Gandhi on to the stage of all India politics for the first time. In the spring of 1919, Gandhi spearheaded the all India protest movement against the Rowlatt Act. And it was during this protest movement that the notorious Jallianwala Bagh [Amritsar] Massacre took place.

After this, there was a significant change in Indo-British relations. By the end of the 1920s, the anti-colonial mood was deeply entrenched. For the generation of ‘moderate’ nationalists before the First World War, it was possible to reconcile patriotism with empire loyalism. Many of them would have been happy to describe themselves as ‘British Indians’. By 1930, most Indian nationalists could no longer reconcile empire and nation as focal points of political loyalty. And, of course, that had consequences on the cricket pitch. Now cricket matches between European teams and Indian teams came to acquire a political edge. By the 1930s, there were overt expressions of anti-colonial nationalist sentiment on the cricket pitch.

There was also a growing sense that Indians should embrace indigenous sporting traditions—it was rather like Irish cultural nationalism in this regard. In India, these ideas became significant in the 1890s, especially in Bengal and Maharashtra. There were attempts to revive traditional sports, like folk wrestling, for example.

This tradition continued even after independence. But as cricket grew in popularity after 1947, those voices fell on deaf ears. You’d imagine that indigenous sport would get a fillip in independent India—and some did get government support—but cricket continued to be the de facto national sport. Those who wanted to reject cricket were vastly outnumbered by those who embraced it.

What is the second most popular sport in India?

Let’s talk about to Richard Cashman’s Patrons, Players and the Crowd: the Phenomenon of Indian Cricket (1980) . What story does Cashman tell in this book?

I mentioned that Docker’s book was very much about the politics of Indian cricket, but quite weak on the sociological and cultural dimensions of the sport, especially its popular dynamics. Cashman’s book is the exact opposite. He focuses on the structures of Indian cricket, especially the sociology and the culture of the game as it evolved in the subcontinent.

Cashman looks at patronage and the role of money in the sport, how it works, who encouraged and supported the game in colonial and postcolonial India and their reasons for doing so. When he looks at players, he’s interested in their sociological backgrounds, not their cricketing performances. He provides details on the class and caste profile of Indian cricketers. He examines the nature of cricket crowds and their behaviour. It’s the first proper historical sociology of Indian cricket. At the outset, I said that there were two ways of looking at the history of Indian cricket—from above and from below. Cashman’s book is simultaneously a history from above and below. It allows you to look at all the structural dynamics of Indian cricket.

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Cashman was a trained historian. He worked on western India before he came to work on Indian cricket. He has subsequently gone on to write on other aspects of sport, especially sport in Australia. This book really captures the complexity of Indian cricket’s sociology and cultural formation. Its strength is its deep empirical research. He uses all kinds of primary sources.

The book can appear slightly dated today, largely because the game has changed beyond recognition over the four decades since it was published, but because of its empirical findings and insights into the sociology of Indian cricket, it remains one of the best books on the subject.

What story does he tell about the patrons and the players? Does he draw any interesting conclusions about where they come from and what motivates and unites them?

A striking feature of Cashman’s book is the subtle way it charts shifts that have happened over time. So, for example, when he’s writing about patronage, he shows how, initially, the princes played a key role but were increasingly supplanted, after 1947, by secular, modern institutions, commercial firms and the public sector. It is these institutions that provided cricketers with a livelihood in post-independence India. He charts how the nature of patronage changes from the feudal to more modern, secular forms. That’s one theme.

When he focuses on the social background of players, he emphasizes the intersection of caste and class. Cashman notes the interesting phenomenon that there are very few players from the lowest classes who have played for India, very few from the Dalit communities.

It’s a book full of rich and subtle sociological insights. He’s very good on crowds, especially the rituals of the Indian cricket crowd, its distinctive forms of collective behaviour and how it differs from crowds elsewhere. He’s good, too, on the way the game has been imagined and ‘Indianized’. The book also shows how the vocabularies of the game have been ‘Indianized’. It’s a very sophisticated analysis of how cricket has been transformed into an Indian game.

From independence in 1947 up until 1980 when he wrote this book, what was the Indian government’s relationship to cricket? Was there significant government patronage of the game? Does the government do a lot to promote it or give it particular privileges?

Governments get involved in cricket when it comes to the organization of international tours and tournaments. Also, when stadiums have to be built, the government has to get involved in dealing with the issues pertaining to land allocation. And, of course, until the era of liberalization in the early 1990s, cricket commentary was through All India Radio and on TV it was broadcast on the Indian national channel, Doordarshan. But it is hard to discern a substantive and coherent official policy towards cricket. Cricket’s popularity ensured that it would be the dominant sport, but that was not because of official patronage.

Your next Indian cricket book is Ramachandra Guha ’s A Corner of a Foreign Field: The Indian History of a British Sport . This is a much more recent book. What story does this tell us?

If I had to rank the books in this list by sheer quality, this book would be number one. Guha trained as a historical sociologist. He has had a very prominent career as a professional historian. Notably, he has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Indian cricket and its history. If one were looking for an overview of the entire history of Indian cricket from its very beginnings to the present, this is the book.

In a sense, you could say that Guha’s approach is a synthesis of Docker and Cashman. He is very keenly attuned to the politics of the sport. The book shows how politics and cricket repeatedly intersected in colonial and postcolonial India. But it is equally attentive to the sociology of Indian cricket. It strikes a very nice balance between these two aspects. It’s also organized in a thematic way. Guha shows how, from the very outset, cricket in the subcontinent was shaped by the fissures and fractures of the wider society. Race, caste, religion and nation are the principal themes that run through the book.

You get a real sense of how cricket became Indianized, how it became politicized, and how it became this extraordinarily popular sport. It’s narrated in a very readable and subtle way. In my view, the most fascinating and pioneering part of the book is the story of Palwankar Baloo, the great Dalit bowler, who was unquestionably India’s first great cricketer (Ranji does not count as he saw himself as an ‘English’ cricketer).

You’ve talked about how the Parsis took up cricket initially and how they were followed by the different communities in India. Was there any kind of attempt by the British authorities to introduce cricket to India? Or was that just never needed? Did it flourish naturally or were there active politically- or culturally-driven initiatives by the British to ‘cricketify’ India.

I would say that the British approach was something of a mixed bag. They did attempt to make cricket an important part of the educational curriculum. That was particularly true of the educational institutions that they ran for Indian princes, whom they wanted to train to play a role similar to the English gentry/aristocracy—a ruling class. It was assumed that if you played cricket you would be a good leader and that you would be imbued with the right values. For instance, Ranji went to one of these—Rajkumar College—before he went to Cambridge.

“Guha shows how, from the very outset, cricket in the subcontinent was shaped by the fissures and fractures of the wider society”

You also had English headmasters and teachers who came out to India. The Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh was a classic example of this and it figures prominently in my book because all the Muslim cricketers in the 1911 Indian team had been to that institution. Theodore Beck, its Cambridge-educated headmaster, made cricket a key part of the Aligarh curriculum.

Equally, British officials interested in cricket could, by virtue of their public office, promote the game. Lord Harris, when he was Governor of Bombay between 1890 and 1895, made cricket a key part of his official responsibilities, about which he was quite proud.

Many Oxbridge graduates who came out to India, either in political roles or as part of the civil service, were keen cricketers.

Your final choice is Migrant Races: Empire, Identity and K S Ranjitsinhji by Satadru Sen.

This book deserves to be more widely known than it is. It’s probably familiar to those who work in the field of modern South Asian history, and perhaps to postcolonial theorists. But it’s a very beautifully structured and subtle attempt to understand one of the most complex and complicated characters in the history of Indian cricket: Prince Ranjitsinhji. Because it is an academic work, I suspect this book is not more widely known among those who are purely interested in the history of cricket. A general reader might not find it readily accessible, but it does repay close attention. Sen shows how Ranji negotiated the complex worlds that he had to navigate. The book is not only deeply attentive to the different contexts and constraints within which Ranji operated but also to the ways in which he exercised his agency as a cricketer and a prince.

“His batting might have conveyed the impression of effortless genius, but nothing was naturally given to Ranji”

The book does not really dwell on Ranji’s cricket career. It is not interested in what he did on the field. It is more concerned with how Ranji was shaped by the larger structures of empire and nation and how he forged his way through these at different times in his public career. It shows how Ranji learnt to perform the roles that he was called upon to play. His batting might have conveyed the impression of effortless genius, but nothing was naturally given to Ranji.

He was quite vulnerable and had to negotiate the very different worlds of colonial India and imperial Britain. The book dwells on Ranji’s quest for his crown. It looks at the place of money in his life, the need to have resources befitting a prince. It shows his complex and ambivalent interactions both with the colonial establishment—which eventually made him the ruler of Nawanagar in 1907—and with Indian nationalism.

Ranji tends to be seen in two ways. One is solely as a cricketer. He’s celebrated in this very Orientalist way by a lot of English cricket writers. It’s a tradition that goes all the way back to those who wrote about him in the early 20th century, writers like Neville Cardus. The other tradition is to focus on his politics and accuse him of being an opponent of Indian nationalism. Both perspectives are one-sided and reduce this complicated figure to a caricature.

When you say they celebrate him in an Orientalist tradition, can you just unpack what you mean by that?

Consider the images that were used to describe Ranji’s batting—that he was a conjuror, a ‘dark’ magician, and so on. There is a famous comment about him that is often quoted in cricket literature: that ‘he never played a Christian stroke in his life’. He was regarded as a ‘strange light from the East’. In short, he was (and still continues to be) portrayed as a mysterious Oriental, very different from the stolid Anglo-Saxon cricketer.

Like a Djinni…

Exactly. Simon Wilde has written a very fine biography of Ranji , but it too reaffirms this idea of the ‘strange and sublime genius’ of Ranji.

More recently, people have criticised Ranji’s anti-nationalism, arguing that he did not promote Indian cricket, that he did very little for Indian cricket, that he saw himself as an English cricketer, and that he was a bad ruler.

So, there are these two contrasting traditions of writing about Ranji. Satadru Sen’s book shows how both of these perspectives are simplistic. The book really gets to the complexities of the man and it does so without either celebrating him in an uncritical fashion or vilifying him. It shows how Ranji negotiated the choices that he had to make and how he was shaped by the larger structures of imperial power that shaped his life. It’s a very insightful and illuminating book.

Some reviewers of my book have said that I’m very critical of Ranji. I’m not. I document what he did, but I’m not judgmental about him. Following Satadru Sen, I think one needs to understand Ranji as a complex figure, shaped by his circumstances and his time.

He lived until 1933. After his playing career was over and he was a Maharaja, did he become a patron of cricket in India, or did he leave the game behind, once he became a prince?

Ranji became the ruler of Nawanagar in 1907. He travelled to Britain the following year and played for Sussex. Thereafter, he returned to England from time to time. His cricket career was largely finished by 1910. He took no part in the 1911 cricket tour at all, but by that time he was well past his best.

After he became the ruler of Nawanagar, Ranji left the game behind as far as India was concerned. He played cricket matches on his private estate, but he was not formally associated with any initiatives to do with Indian cricket. For instance, he had little to do with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which was formed in 1927.

After Ranji’s death in 1933, the Maharaja of Patiala donated a gold cup that was named after the great cricketer. Thus, the premier national Indian cricket tournament, which is played on zonal lines, is known as the Ranji Trophy.

You mentioned that there was this big shift in national sentiment in India in the 1920s in the wake of the Amritsar massacre. Did Ranji remain loyal to the empire or did he get involved in nationalist movements?

Satadru Sen brilliantly shows how Ranji was no longer an ardent empire loyalist by the end of the 1920s. His relationship with the British Raj grew increasingly strained over time, because of the way the local British authorities in India dealt with him. There were tensions over finances and other matters to do with princely politics. He became disillusioned with the British imperial establishment. Interestingly, he began to harbour sympathies for what the nationalists were doing, even though he was never an overt nationalist. He never came out on the side of Gandhi, but it was equally clear that he was not the unquestioning empire loyalist of the past.

One final question. Cricket has been immensely popular in India now for well over a century. Do you think those Parsis who started playing the game in India 150 years ago and saw certain values in it would recognize T20 cricket, played in brightly coloured pyjamas? And would they have approved of it or do you think they’d have seen it as a completely different game?

Funnily enough, I think the Parsis of late nineteenth century Bombay would have understood it! To begin with, the Parsis played in their traditional dress, which in the illustrations of the time look rather like pyjamas. Also, the early cricket matches on the Bombay maidan were probably limited overs matches. I reckon they would have been comfortable with T20 cricket.

So, those early matches would have always had a result.

I suspect so. The aim would have been to a secure a result.

September 10, 2020

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Prashant Kidambi

Prashant Kidambi is Associate Professor in Colonial Urban History at the University of Leicester. After completing postgraduate degrees in history at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi , he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford . Kidambi’s research explores the interface between British imperialism and the history of modern South Asia.

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Believe : What Life and Cricket Taught Me

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Believe, Sachin Tendulkar told him - and he took it to heart, getting the word etched on his arm as a tattoo. In this book, Suresh Raina takes us through the challenges he faced as a young cricketer. He was bullied in school and at cricket camps, but he always punched above his weight, overcoming every adversity life threw at him and never giving up. This is the story of the lessons he learnt and the friendships he built. Peppered with invaluable insights - about the game and about life - that Raina acquired from senior colleagues like M.S. Dhoni, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, among others, this book will make you believe in the power of hard work, love, luck, hope and camaraderie. It is a journey through the highs and lows in the cricketing career of a man who saw his world fall apart and yet became one of the most influential white-ball cricketers India has ever seen.

Print length 240 pages
Language English
Publisher Penguin eBury Press
Publication date 14 June 2021
Dimensions 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.16 cm
ISBN-10 0143454331
ISBN-13 978-0143454335
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About the author.

Bharat Sundaresan is a world-renowned, award-winning cricket writer currently based in Adelaide, Australia. He is the Australian correspondent and senior writer for Cricbuzz, having previously spent over a decade covering cricket around the globe for the Indian Express . He is also the bestselling author of The Dhoni Touch .

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin eBury Press (14 June 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0143454331
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0143454335
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 140 g
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.16 cm
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ India
#46 in Cricket (Books)
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Suresh raina.

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