BOOK DETAILS

Author: Gundappa Vishwanath and R. Kaushik

Publisher: Rupa Publications

Length: 280 Pages

SYNOPSIS

Wrist Assured traces the cricketing journey of wristy genius G.R. Vishwanath from the dusty by-lanes of erstwhile Bengaluru to the most iconic venues in the world. It gives deep insights into the mind of a champion, and of the trials and tribulations of an international career that saw both despair and delight in his very first Test.

Vishwanath followed up a first-innings duck with 137 in the second against Australia in Kanpur in 1969. The same crowd that had hurled matkas on his way back in the first innings rose as one to celebrate his century, providing him his first important lesson - nothing succeeds like success.

His solid middle-class upbringing instilled in Vishwanath a clear sense of right and wrong which he harnessed throughout his 91-Test career. Wrist Assured provides a ringside view of what made Vishwanath tick and why he is one of the most adored and respected cricketers to have graced the cricketing stage.

MY REVIEW

There is a moment early in Wrist Assured that sets the tone for everything that follows. Gundappa Vishwanath, one of Indian cricket’s most elegant batters, declares that his favourite cricketing memory is not a Test century or a series triumph. Instead, it is his first-class debut, a 230 for Mysore against Andhra in the Ranji Trophy. That tells you everything about the man and the book.

The autobiography moves along a clean chronological arc, covering the full sweep of Vishwanath’s career. Chapters devoted to India’s historic Test victories in England and the West Indies in 1971 capture the pioneering spirit of that era, and there are delightful personal anecdotes scattered throughout. Among them, is the charming story of being cradled like a baby by the towering Tony Greig.

Perhaps the most illuminating chapter is the one dedicated entirely to the famous Vishwanath square cut. He traces the shot’s origins not to natural gift but to practical necessity. The cut required no great physical power, allowing him instead to feed off the bowler’s own pace. The numbers validate the instinct: an astonishing 4,000 of his 6,080 Test runs came through that single stroke.

Then there is the 97 not out at Madras against the West Indies - an innings the book rightly titles "When 97 Trumped a 100." Vishwanath grows visibly emotional recounting it, dwelling on two back-foot punches off Keith Boyce that raced to the straight boundary with such ferocity that the entire slip cordon broke into appreciation.

It is an innings that lives rent-free in the memory of everyone who witnessed it. And yet, with characteristic modesty, Vishwanath rates his 124 against the West Indies at the same ground in 1979 as the superior knock. That generosity toward his own performances, never self-aggrandizing, always reflective, runs through the entire book.

What distinguishes Wrist Assured from many cricket autobiographies is its generosity of spirit. Vishwanath never diminishes one cricketer to elevate another. His comparisons across generations are respectful and measured. He devotes a full chapter to the contemporaries who shaped him, and another to ten Indian stalwarts of Test cricket. It is a thoughtful addition that broadens the book’s scope beyond individual memoir.

His reverence for the Ranji Trophy throughout is also notable. He regards it as India’s most prestigious domestic tournament. He says:

“Prasanna lifting the Ranji Trophy is one of the greatest moments of my cricketing career”.

The book has genuine character, too. Vishwanath doesn’t retreat into diplomatic vagueness. “It angers me when I see batsmen hurl their bat after being dismissed. What’s the bat’s fault now?” You may agree or disagree, but the voice is unmistakably his own. So is the quiet philosophy: “What’s the point of playing anything if you’re not better today than you were yesterday.” His concern about dwindling Test match crowds adds a note of contemporary relevance that many readers will recognise.

If there is a reservation, it lies in the prose. The writing is clean and accessible, but the storytelling occasionally feels one-dimensional, lacking the texture and depth that might have elevated certain passages. A richer narrative voice could have done fuller justice to a life so richly lived.

That aside, Wrist Assured is a genuinely rewarding read. It is honest, warm, and suffused with a love of cricket in its purest form. Vishwanath has laid his heart out on these pages, and it shows.

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MY RATING

3.5/5

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You May Also Like:

1. A World Cup Final In The Dark

2. Lara: The England Chronicles (Book Review)

3. War of the drinks

4. When Tony Grieg Cradled Gundappa Vishwanath like a baby

5. Before the IPL: Story of India’s First Cricket Carnival

6. Palwankar Baloo: A Legacy Lost To History

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By Lakshit Singhal

Together, they remind us that no matter which side of a boundary you stand on, whether divided by generation, geography, or allegiance, the game has a remarkable way of pulling you in, holding a mirror up to the world around it, and never quite letting go.

1. Chinaman

Author: Shehan Karunatalika

Publisher: Penguin Books

Shehan Karunatilaka’s debut novel is an ostensible tale of Sri Lanka in the late 20th century through cricket and its many characters. A retired sports journalist, who is drinking himself to death, is on a quest to find a mystery spinner in Sri Lanka. Does he succeed in his tryst against time?

Fact and fiction, involving cricket incidents and personalities, are amalgamated with astute perfection. The storytelling is complemented with an extensively devised plot that keeps you invested throughout. Shehan’s writing is engaging, entertaining and thought-provoking. You are going to have an absolute blast reading this. Take my word for it.

You can read my full review of the book here.

2. Eye On Cricket

Author: Samir Chopra

Publisher: Harper Collins India

Eye on cricket is a collection of essays encapsulating the emotions of every cricket lover who has played or followed the game at any point in their life. Getting our first cricket bat, scoring our highest score in local cricket or enjoying an afternoon game during school/college days - each chapter in the book tugs a string that every cricket fan has buried somewhere deep withim themselves.

Samir Chopra offers a philosophical take on different types of fans and their relationship with the game. He also dwells upon topics of popular discourse - aggression and spirit of the game. The book provides an assurance that you can be divided by boundaries or generations but will always be united by cricket.

3. A Corner Of A Foreign Field

Author: Ramachandra Guha

Publisher: Penguin Books

The book is a comprehensive account of how India’s social fabric came to influence the development of cricket in India. Who were the first cricketers? When did the first Indian team toured England? What is the story behind India’s first cricket tournament? The book answers these and so much more.

Guha weaves an intriguing narrative where cricket found itself associated with social and political events in India’s history. You will be amazed to revisit the already known historical events, but with a touch of cricket. It enlightens you about how cricket found its feet in India and became an inseparable part of the Indian consciousness.

4. Mid-Wicket Tales

As the name suggests, the book is an ode to various aspects of cricket and the cricketers who excelled in them, across teams and generations. Close-in catching, captaincy, wicketkeeping, art of spin bowling and much more - the book is rooted in history, extensively researched and statistically rich.

It is a uniquely satisfying read about the thrill, approach and challenges involved with different skill sets. The authors’ nuanced writing on each subject is refreshing and provides you new perspectives and insights about the game and those who play it. You could be in India, West Indies or South Africa. But you will still find something or the other to pique your interest. Another of those books where the shared passion of the game shines through.

5. Gully Gully

Author: Aditya Iyer

Publisher: Penguin Books (Play)

Cricket World Cup is a festival, coming together of people who happen to share mutual love for a game. A game which is so engrained in every vein of our being that we forget there is a world outside it. The World Cup is arguably the biggest celebration of it. The book helps you revisit those beautiful six weeks of 2023.

The writing is fresh, sometimes poetic. Iyer delivers an entertaining prose. Cricket becomes the vehicle to travel the country and he takes the reader on a joyous and enthralling ride. Every city that hosted an India game becomes a character. From Lucknow’s food to Chennai’s weather, each chapter is filled with anecdotes and stories that are worth savoring.

Gully Gully has successfully carved out its own place among the vast library of cricket literature, standing out for its blend of travelogue, reportage, and deeply felt fandom.​ If you enjoy cricket writing that doubles up as a window into contemporary India, this is a book worth returning to, not just during World Cup season but any time you want to relive what the sport can mean to a country.

You can read my full review of the book here.

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Find your next read?

You May Also Like:

1. A World Cup Final In The Dark

2. Lara: The England Chronicles (Book Review)

3. War of the drinks

4. When Tony Grieg Cradled Gundappa Vishwanath like a baby

5. Before the IPL: Story of India’s First Cricket Carnival

6. Palwankar Baloo: A Legacy Lost To History

7. A Day At The Galle Cricket Stadium

Want to Read More of My Writing?

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Backpack Chronicles

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By Lakshit Singhal

He reads the game with the precision of a chess grandmaster, anticipates moments before they unfold, and executes strategies with a calm, almost clinical authority. It is this same disciplined mind that has found expression not on a cricket field, but between the pages of Tested - a book that is as surprising in its ambition as it is rewarding in its execution.

Not an Autobiography

Let me be absolutely clear from the outset: Tested is not Pat Cummins’ life story. Those arriving expecting an insider’s account of Ashes battles, World Cup triumphs, or dressing room drama will need to recalibrate their expectations entirely. Instead, he has constructed something far more ambitious: a leadership and self-help framework built on the wisdom of eleven extraordinary individuals drawn from vastly different arenas of human endeavour.

Podcasters, business magnates, media personalities, film producers, and politicians - the breadth of voices assembled here is nothing short of remarkable. This is, at its heart, a curated collection of wisdom, carefully chosen and thoughtfully presented.

The Effort Behind the Pages

One cannot understate the logistical and relational effort that must have gone into assembling such a diverse group of interviewees. Getting eleven high-profile personalities to sit down, reflect, and share with candour is no small feat.

It requires trust, credibility, and considerable diplomatic skill. Cummins and his team deserve genuine admiration for pulling this off. The book is, in many ways, a testament to the respect that Cummins commands far beyond the boundary ropes.

Conversations That Stay With You

While each chapter offers depth and substance, a few conversations stand out as particularly memorable.

The discussion with Julia Gillard, Australia’s first female Prime Minister, is a masterclass in resilience and leading under relentless public scrutiny. Her reflections on navigating institutional resistance, maintaining conviction in the face of criticism, and the personal cost of public service offer lessons that resonate far beyond the political arena.

Ronnie Screwvala, the Indian media and film mogul turned entrepreneur and philanthropist, brings a different energy. His story is a reminder that great leadership often demands the willingness to disrupt oneself before the world does it for you.

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But it is the chapter with Dennis Lillee that arguably forms the emotional and intellectual core of the book. Lillee, one of cricket’s most ferocious and intelligent fast bowlers, opens up about the World Series Cricket revolution, the Kerry Packer-backed movement that shook the cricketing establishment to its foundations in the late 1970s.

The chapter is a rich meditation on change, institutional resistance, and the courage it takes to challenge orthodoxy in the service of progress. It explores how World Series Cricket, despite the controversy it generated, ultimately modernised the game, transforming it into the commercially vibrant and globally watchable spectacle it is today.

Fittingly titled “Amateurs try, professionals prepare and adapt”, the Lillee chapter carries an additional layer of personal significance for Cummins. It is here that he reflects openly and vulnerably on his injury struggles - the repeated stress fractures that threatened to derail his career before it truly began.

Lillee, in his role as a bowling coach, played a pivotal part in helping the young Cummins develop a more sustainable and biomechanically sound action. There is a newness about a fast bowling legend passing on not just technique, but a philosophy of longevity and professional discipline to the next generation.

A Blueprint for Leadership

The overarching theme that binds Tested together is leadership. Each interviewee, in their own way, illuminates a different facet of what it means to lead with integrity, adapt under pressure, and build something that outlasts individual moments of glory.

Cummins is smart enough to know that abstract leadership lessons can feel hollow without context. And so, threading through the chapters like a golden seam, are his own cricketing reflections - anecdotes, observations, and hard-won insights from his journey through international cricket.

These interludes serve a dual purpose: they make the book accessible to cricket fans who might otherwise find the subject matter mundane, and they ground loftier ideas in the lived, visceral reality of high-performance sport. It is a smart structural choice, one that keeps the narrative grounded while allowing the wisdom of the interviewees to breathe and resonate.

The result is a book that is genuinely enriching in its diversity of perspectives. Whether it is lessons in perseverance from the world of sport, strategic clarity from the business world, or the art of communication and persuasion from media and politics - each chapter adds a distinct colour to the overall canvas.

A Personal Reflection Woven Throughout

What gives Tested its quiet emotional depth is the thread of personal reflection that Cummins weaves throughout. He reflects on formative moments, personal setbacks, career crossroads and leadership challenges with sincerity .

In that sense, while Tested is not an autobiography, it is deeply autobiographical in spirit. It tells us who Pat Cummins is, not through a chronological recounting of events, but through the questions he asks, the people he admires, and the ideas he finds worth sharing with the world.

Final Thoughts

Tested is a genuinely original offering in the landscape of cricket literature. It is thoughtful, well-constructed, and unexpectedly moving in places. It will not satisfy those seeking tales from the baggy green or behind-the-scenes cricket gossip. But for readers open to something more reflective, it is a deeply rewarding experience.

One hopes that Pat Cummins continues to accumulate experiences, wisdom, and victories in the years ahead. And when the time finally comes for him to set down his full story, a proper memoir from this remarkable cricketer will be well worth the wait.

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More Cricket Book Reviews:

1. Lara: The England Chronicles

2. The Miracle Makers by Bharat Sundaresan and Gav Joshi

3. I Have The Streets by Ravi Ashwin

4. Eye On Cricket by Samir Chopra

5. Finding The Edge by James Anderson

6. Gully Gully by Aditya Iyer

Want to Read More of My Writing?

I also write newsletters about travel and food. If you are looking for travel ideas and itineraries or just want to read fascinating travel stories, you should consider following Backpack Chronicles by clicking the buttons below:

Backpack Chronicles

Stories from my explorations on travel, food and culture.

By Lakshit Singhal

Lara: The England Chronicles is written the way good cricket should be played - with clarity and intent. Short sentences. Simple words. From the foreword to the co-writer’s note, there is warmth on every page, and that warmth pulls you in and keeps you there.

The most beautiful idea in this book is one Lara returns to quietly but consistently. He didn’t give 17 years of his life to West Indies cricket. He received this extraordinary opportunity from West Indies cricket and its people. That shift in perspective from sacrifice to gratitude is what separates a great autobiography from a good one and it tells you everything about the man writing it.

What makes this autobiography truly distinct, though, is its singular focus. This is a West Indies versus England story. Every tour, every rivalry, every friendship is filtered through that lens, and it gives the book a rare coherence that most cricket autobiographies lack. This also hints at the prospect of a sequel - focusing on other contests. But Lara is no tribal storyteller. His admiration for English cricketers is generous and specific.

He loved Atherton's pulls and drives. Flintoff's wrists gave him genuine trouble, and that is not a small admission. Flintoff dismissed him eight times in four Tests during the 2004 tour and Lara says so plainly. Then there is Jimmy Anderson. The best ball Lara ever faced in his entire career came from a young Anderson and it happened to be Lara's last Test against England.

The emotional intelligence throughout is what surprised me most. The authors break down personalities with a nuance that cuts against the usual tendency to generalize. Lara places Carl Hooper above himself in terms of sheer talent - above Tendulkar too. High praise from a man of his stature. But when it comes to who he wanted beside him at the crease, he picks Jimmy Adams. That distinction between talent and trust is the kind of insight you rarely find in sports writing.

When Lara describes captaincy as the impossible job, you understand why. The burden of leading a West Indies side in decline, the politics, the loneliness of it - he does not dramatize any of this. He simply tells it and the honesty lands harder for that.

What strikes you early is how much of this book is about West Indies cricket as a whole, not just Lara’s place in it. He writes about different eras, the defining figures, their contributions. When he describes Malcolm Marshall as poetry in motion, you feel it. Marshall retired at 33, and Lara reminds us, with quiet sadness, that there was so much more left to give.

The father-son chapter, a fixture in most sporting memoirs, earns its place here. Lara’s father never missed a match. That single line carries weight. You understand, without being told directly, where the discipline and the hunger came from.

The chapter on the world record innings carries its own kind of magic. Sir Gary Sobers was in the stands in Antigua the day Lara broke his record of 365 and Lara calls that destiny. But scoring 375 and 501 within six weeks of each other is not just fate. It is what happens when preparation meets an unbreakable will, when a man who has spent his whole life obsessing over the game is finally handed the stage to prove it.

One honest note before you pick up the book. Lara's claim that Viv Richards made Carl Hooper cry on a weekly basis has been publicly denied by both men, who have asked for an apology. It is a controversy worth knowing about. But it does not take away from what is otherwise a book of rare warmth and honesty.

Verdict

Borrowing from what Lara says in the book: life is about moments and it is the memories we made that will hang around long after we are gone. That is exactly what this book is - a collection of moments, beautifully remembered and generously shared. The story and the style work together in a way that is genuinely hard to put down. Recommended!

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New Story Drops Every Wednesday!

In this blog, I unearth forgotten gems, celebrate historical triumphs, and explore the finest literature from the world of cricket.

If you find these stories meaningful, or if they show you why cricket is important on and off the field, consider sharing them or subscribing.

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The book offers a first-hand account of those three fateful months when India toured Australia. When Bharat announced he was writing about this tour, I knew I was in for a joyride - for two reasons. I had read his previous works and found his writing candid, humorous, and refreshingly honest. And the fact that he and Gaurav had covered the entire tour on the ground made the prospect all the more exciting.

Inside the Bubble

Their proximity to the team and coaching staff has allowed the writer-duo to build a genuinely compelling narrative. The early chapters, which detail the extraordinary challenges posed by the pandemic, are particularly fascinating.

Learning about what these players had to endure quietly and without complaint was eye-opening.

Bridging the Gap

This is, in many ways, the hallmark of Bharat’s writing. He reminds you that your favourite player, however celebrated, is also a human being - one who feels vulnerable, who wrestles with doubt, and who carries the same emotions as anyone else.

He is a master at effortlessly bridging the distance between a player and a fan.

The Rahane Chapter

My personal favourite is the chapter on Ajinkya Rahane. That Rahane led the side with compassion and quiet authority following the Adelaide debacle is no secret. But this chapter goes further, illuminating the lesser-known contours of his personality through anecdotes from his career and life — each one revealing a man who values character above performance. It left me eagerly hoping he tells his full story someday.

Beyond the Boundary

And stories, it turns out, are what this book does best. They are not limited to the players alone. The coaching staff, net bowlers, physios, throw-down specialists - the men who worked in the shadows all find their place here.

Some of these accounts, particularly those touching on strategy and preparation, make for riveting reading. The authors have also woven in a few personal stories of their own, offering a glimpse into everything that went into making the book itself. A nice touch.

Final Take: Must Read

Barring a few typos scattered across some chapters, The Miracle Makers is a breezy and absorbing read. The descriptions of players’ skill sets, performances, and landmark moments are handled with real craft.

Crucially, the book does not confine itself to the Test series. The ODI and T20 legs receive ample and deserved attention, something that is all too rarely the case. Cricket fans will find it deeply enjoyable. For everyone else, it serves as the perfect entry point into a unique and once-in-a-lifetime series.

The series has inspired many artistic works including books by other authors and a documentary series as well. But The Miracle Makers remains my most favourite celebration.

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New story drops every Wednesday!

In this blog, I unearth forgotten gems, celebrate historical triumphs, and explore the finest literature from the world of cricket.

If you find these stories meaningful, or if they show you why cricket is important on and off the field, consider sharing them or subscribing.

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Together, they offer a layered portrait of what it has meant to play for India, to captain a side, to bowl with principle and to love someone who has given their life to the game. What connects them is not statistics or silverware but the texture of lives lived at close quarters with cricket and the human beings behind the averages.

1. The Dhoni Touch

Author: Bharat Sundaresan

Published By: Penguin

Dhoni has always been one of those figures who generates enormous warmth and almost no real disclosure. Sundaresan, rather than chase the man directly, goes around him - to childhood friends in Ranchi, to army contacts, to CSK insiders. The result is a portrait assembled from the edges inward.

It does not pretend to unravel Dhoni completely. What it does, more honestly, is show why the mystery itself is part of the appeal. For a captain who changed how India thought about winning, this is the closest thing to an origin story that exists in print.

The book however plays it safe, just like the Neeraj Pandey directorial Biopic M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story. It steers away from the controversies and misses out on talking about life-changing moments of Dhoni’s journey in detail.

2. The Rise of the Hitman

Author: R. Kaushik

Published By: Rupa Publications

The book explores the character, personality and leadership of one of India’s most accomplished cricketers - Rohit Sharma.

Most of the book is a recollection of events and statistics and the storytelling lacks depth and excitement.

You can read my full review of the book here:

3. The Diary of a cricketer's wife

Author: Puja Pujara and Namita Kala

Published By: Harper Collins

Cricket writing rarely moves indoors. Puja Pujara's memoir changes that. She came to the game with no background in it, married Cheteshwar Pujara in 2013, and then spent years learning - the nutrition requirements, the selection anxieties, the particular silence that follows a bad match.

It is a deeply intimate and personal account revealing not only what it takes to be a professional cricketer but also the everyday struggles faced by the family.

This is also the first time we are given a detailed peek into Cheteshwar Pujara. There are quite a few things about him that stood out for me, which you will know when you read the book.

With a strong focus on relationships, the book will appeal to cricket and non-cricket fans alike.

You can read my full review of the book here:

4. Salim Durani: The Prince of Indian cricket

Author: Gulu Ezekiel

Published By: Rupa Publications

Ezekiel's biography was long overdue. It recovers a figure who had begun to slip from memory and places him back where he belongs: at the centre of the story of Indian cricket in the 1960s, a time when the game here was finding its character.

It breaks myth and ground with fantastic storytelling.

Though Durani remains the epicentre and understandably so, there is much more to know and learn about the highs and lows of Indian Cricket.

5. The Sardar of Spin

Author: Neha Bedi

Editors: Sachin Bajaj and Venkat Sundaram

Published By: Roli Publications

Published to mark Bishan Singh Bedi's 75th birthday, this is not a conventional biography but an anthology, comprising of thirty-four essays by cricketers, writers, and opponents who knew him in different capacities.

The form suits the subject. Bedi was never a straightforward figure: too principled for his own comfort, too outspoken to be universally loved, too gifted to be ignored.

Contributors range from Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar to Mike Brearley and Michael Holding, and together they build a picture of a man who treated slow left-arm bowling as a craft worth defending with the same ferocity he brought to everything else he believed in.

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Let me know which book you enjoyed reading this year, especially if they don’t appear on the list.

I will be back with another review and more book lists and recommendations. Happy Reading!

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New story drops every Wednesday!

In this blog, I unearth forgotten gems, celebrate historical triumphs, and explore the finest literature from the world of cricket.

If you find these stories meaningful, or if they show you why cricket is important on and off the field, consider sharing them or subscribing.

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Many autobiographies tend to rush and skip to the part where the cricketer is already established or has achieved some sort of recognition. But Ashwin goes the unconventional way. He gives his childhood due acknowledgement. You get to know about his health struggles. He also talks about the relationship with his Appa, which is endearing.

He fondly remembers his childhood friends with whom he has grown up playing cricket on the streets. Just like all of us, each one of his friends has a unique characteristic which Ashwin has beautifully narrated, adding an element of humor and relatability.

The writing is simple, concise & to the point. Collaborating with Sidharth Monga is a winning move.

Ashwin has a reputation of being raw and brutally honest. He is known to stand for what he thought was right, even if it meant a professional setback. These traits have been inculcated in him from his childhood, which you get to know through various instances shared in the book.

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Cricket anecdotes are plenty as you would expect from an autobiography. He talks in detail about his relationship with MSD and how it has evolved over time.

The writing is characterized by an equal respect and acknowledgement for other art forms in the game, particularly bowling. He writes:

“Then Irfan errs, as bowlers do because they are not machines”.

This is a work of a writer who looks at the game objectively and is keen on maintaining the balance which is quickly loosing its sheen. Such thoughts will give the upcoming generation a balanced and contrary perspective towards the game, which is the highlight of the book for me.

Final Take

The book ends with the 2011 World Cup win. We don’t get much to read on Ashwin’s journey as a Test cricketer. Neither do we get to know about his process and preparation for famous tours such as the BGT. This is my only grievance from the book. I hope Ashwin has a second edition planned for us.

This one is a must read though.

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Maybe consider buying me a cup of coffee?

While everything on CFC is free to read, we have been a reader-supported platform since the beginning. Your support helps me sustain this dream and to keep researching, writing, and traveling to cricket grounds to bring you stories that matter.

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New story drops every Wednesday!

In this blog, I unearth forgotten gems, celebrate historical triumphs, and explore the finest literature from the world of cricket.

If you find these stories meaningful, or if they show you why cricket is important on and off the field, consider sharing them or subscribing.

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I had read cricket books before. Mostly autobiographies and historical works. But the way in which Eye on Cricket puts into perspective various dimensions related to the game captivated my imagination. In his foreward, Gideon Haigh, a celebrated author himself, writes that Samir’s ability to construct a rigorous argument to reach a provocative conclusion makes him enjoy Samir’s work - a sentiment I share.

What is it about?

The book is a collection of essays encapsulating the emotions of every cricket lover who has played or followed the game at any point in their life. It does not merely dwell on statistics or anecdotes; it speaks directly to the cricket fan within you, recognizing your individuality while acknowledging the shared ways in which we all interact with the game.

Each essay revolves around a subject that most cricket enthusiasts will find familiar. The chapters on childhood cricket, for instance, take you back to your gully or club cricket days, while the discussion on cricket equipment highlights how a shared passion for the game coexisted with the economic realities of different households and the class barriers reflected in who could afford what.

He recalls the pride and satisfaction of scoring his highest runs in a local game and explains why such moments matter:

“ No game, no physical or cultural endeavor, can survive or be sustainable if held afloat only by the efforts of those proficient in it. A game is sustained as a cultural passion by its humble pursuits at lower levels; the cumulative, speculative, physical weight of those aspirants continue to elevate the game.”

These chapters are bound to make you nostalgic.

In another chapter, Samir Chopra expands the horizons of cricket literature by exploring fans’ relationships with numbers. While 99.94, 15,921, 774 or 8,032 may seem random to the uninitiated, they hold deep meaning for cricket fans, just as years like 1932, 1952 and 1971 do for Indian cricket followers.

This is an entirely different dimension of fandom, one with a kind of privileged accessibility. His offbeat look at how fans obsess over numbers makes for a compelling read, and it is fitting that his favourite number is 796.358, the library classification code for cricket books.

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Beyond the Boundary: Ideas and Debates

Philosophy runs through the length of the book. The author offers a thoughtful, often philosophical take on different kinds of fans and their relationship with the game, asking why some leave the stadium before the match ends, or how a player-fan understands and appreciates cricket differently from a regular fan.

These discourses both free your thinking and keep you engaged. Even though the essays are not directly connected, they are neatly grouped into categories, giving us the freedom to read them in any order we prefer.

He also dwells upon topics of popular discourse - aggression and spirit of the game. I appreciate how the author didn’t shy away in sharing his opinion, however controversial they might sound. This is reflected in how Chopra is critical of Dhoni for calling back Ian Bell during a test in 2011 even after being ruled out by the umpire - a decision which earned Dhoni applause but cost India the match.

He also argues that Fire in Babylon suffers from poor storytelling, a view that may divide readers but certainly provokes thought. Some chapters may not appeal to everyone equally, yet they consistently offer a considered and engaging narrative.

One recurring debate in cricket concerns the evolution of formats, and here I am grateful that the author chooses to explain Test cricket in a way that helps the current generation appreciate its uniqueness. He shows how its shifting passages of play give it a distinct identity and reinforce the idea that it is the one format in which all twenty-two players can be significant participants.

In other chapters in this section, we encounter evocative descriptions of the changing look and feel of the game and the thrill of slip catching.

Should You Read Eye on Cricket?

Now coming to why you should get this book. Firstly, it acts as an assurance that you can be divided by boundaries or generations but will always be united by cricket.

Secondly, the writing is endearing and relatable, with barely a dull moment because the author deftly supplements the narrative with engaging trivia and anecdotes.

Finally, there is a chapter devoted specifically to sports writing that I found both informative and inspiring. It encouraged me to be fearless and aspirational as a writer and convinced me that even the most seemingly trivial subject can be meaningfully situated within the larger story of the game.

In the author’s own words, if you cannot stop watching or thinking about cricket, this is a book worth having on your shelf.

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I am piling back on a scooty being driven by a friend. We are in Dharamshala for the Test match between India and England. It’s Day 2 and we are dodging the occasional vehicle and navigating the steep and narrow roads of the Himalayan town to reach the stadium. Anderson is bowling with the 700 wicket landmark in sight and we are running late.

We enter the stadium and find it buzzing with incredible energy. The Barmy Army is getting behind Anderson, each delivery a theatre. No fast bowler has made it this far. This is a generational moment for everyone present. The chants of Jimmy Jimmy are reverberating through the stadium. Anderson takes his mark, runs in, draws Kuldeep into the edge as Foakes completes the catch. Harsha calls it an ‘Himalayan achievement’. Indeed it is.

When the Ball Speaks: A Love Letter to Fast Bowling Through Anderson’s Eyes

Milestones are celebratory but also tell you have taken one step closer towards the end. Anderson could not go beyond 708. It’s not what he wanted. But that’s the ultimate truth of life. Everything comes with a finality. It makes sense he begins his autobiography talking about this fateful moment. A meeting with Stokes and Baz that would put an end to a glittering 22-year-long career. It wasn’t nearly half as dramatic an exit as Broad’s but it was grand. Anderson could walk back a content cricketer. A rare and cherished feeling.

I have followed Anderson’s career but not very intricately. Fast-bowling and fast-bowlers awake a different personality within me, which usually remains hidden. It’s inexplicable, it just happens. The book succeeds in doing that. Anderson and Felix White talk about swing, seam, creating angles and of course, the magic Anderson delivery. They break down the nuances, down to the minute details. Oh, the joy in reading!

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James and Jimmy: Two Lives of a Fast Bowler

The prose is so brilliant that you could experience Anderson’s personality shift across chapters. The authors have made a conscious attempt to humanize him. There is James and Jimmy - the duality of lives a cricketer lives through the length of their career. You know it is going to be a winning autobiography when the focus is on the story rather than statistics.

The narrative is unique in many ways. We get three chapters dedicated to each day of Anderson’s last Test against West Indies. Each chapter is packed with emotions, nostalgia and love. For the game and for Anderson.

Then there is the introduction to the chapters. Some of them do not mention just Anderson’s statistics. But also the others who had standout performances in that game. There is also a dedicated chapter to Broad’s Ashes spell of 2015. This reaffirms the long stated fact that bowling, just like batting, thrives in partnerships. Wasim-Waqar, Steyn-Morkel, Anderson-Broad - batters threaten but bowlers instill fear.

The authors have picked up matches and series thoughtfully as to not just throw numbers and accolades at the readers but instead provide some sort of context to them. That said, there is not much on Anderson’s many verbal altercations, one on one rivalries and lost battles. In fact, the book majorly focuses on Australia and the Ashes, which feels like an incomplete read.

Anderson is at his expressive best. The descriptions are beautiful. There is an intrinsic humor in the writing that keeps the reader engaged and you are sailing through the pages before you know it. Controversies such as Textgate are addressed, only on surface level though.

Finding the Story, Not Just the Stats: Why The Autobiography Works

When I picked up the book, I was not aware about Tailenders. It is a podcast that Anderson hosts along with Felix and others. It’s astonishing how Anderson managed to do it while still playing, given how notoriously the internet works. But it is one of the reasons why the book has turned out to be this good. It was not just a contract. There was a camaraderie between the authors and the storytelling was based on years of experience, understanding and refinement.

Writing an autobiography is becoming like a fill in the blanks exercise. With a set template, imagination and storytelling often takes a backseat. Finding the edge breaks the formula and in equal parts, delights and inspires. Entertaining but not preachy.

It romanticizes with fast-bowling just enough to make you get out of the bed, dress up and find an empty corner to start sending down deliveries. This is a big victory for Anderson and White. With Finding the Edge, Anderson has set a benchmark off-the field as well. Something that is going to be difficult to emulate.

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The journey has been long, challenging but equally fascinating.

Here are 5 books (in no particular order) that will help you go through this journey and help you understand what went behind achieving the powerhouse status.

🏏A Corner of a foreign field by Ramachandra Guha

Reading history has never felt this exciting. A book that enlightens you about the origin and development of cricket in India.

Guha weaves an intriguing narrative of how cricket found itself associated with social and political events in India’s history.

Backed with incredible research, it is insightful and eye-opening.

🏏 The Miracle Makers by Bharat Sundaresan and Gaurav Joshi

A first-hand account of how the Indian team went beyond their call of duty to give cricket fans across the globe a cricket tour that will go down in history as one of the best.

The book does justice to the incredible story of India’s victory of the Border Gavaskar Trophy in 2020-21.

🏏 Indian Cricket: Then and Now by Venkat

An anthology on Indian cricket with 47 contributions from 40 different writers, chronicling the journey of Indian cricket through its prominent personalities and landmark moments.

A goldmine of stories and anecdotes for cricket fans.

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🏏 The Lord's of Wankhede by W.V. Raman and R. Kaushik

Documents the transformative journey of Indian cricket between the two World Cup victories of 1983 and 2011.

Backed with impeccable research and fluid writing, it presents a raw account of how India emerged as a cricketing superpower.

🏏 The Miracle Men by Nikhil Naz

A nostalgic and entertaining retelling of India’s 1983 Prudential Cup campaign.

Replete with anecdotes, the book presents intricate details about the selection conundrum, team dynamics, dressing-room conversations and on-field tactics.

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Let me know which book you enjoyed reading this year, especially if they don’t appear on the list.

I will be back with another review and more book lists and recommendations. Happy Reading!

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Highlights of the year:

Gully Gully for its raw and unfiltered storytelling, The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife for its emotional beauty and Finding the Edge for reigniting my love and passion for fast bowling.

🏏 Indian Summers: Australia vs India

When it comes to describing a cricketer or breaking down a match situation, I doubt anyone does it as well as Haigh.

The book is a collection of Haigh’s writings on matches and tours that have defined the India-Australia rivalry.

The first tour, tied test in Chennai, heroics of Gabba and the 2023 World Cup Final - it is poetic, insightful and captivating.

🏏 The Rise of the Hitman

The R. Kaushik biography explores the character, personality and the leadership of one of India’s most accomplished cricketers.

Most of the book is a recollection of events and statistics and the storytelling lacks depth and excitement.

Rohit’s fans will enjoy this one but there is very little for others.

🏏 The Diary of a cricketer's wife

A deeply intimate and personal account revealing not only what it takes to be a professional cricketer but also the everyday struggles faced by the family.

With a strong focus on inter-personal relationships, the book will appeal even to non- cricket fans.

I have reviewed the book in detail and my full review can be accessed here.

🏏 Finding the edge

Here is a bowler who loves everything about fast bowling. The way he breaks each and every nuance is delightful.

The prose is engaging. The narrative focuses on key matches and feels honest and genuine. Controversies are addressed on surface level only though.

Packed with anecdotes and rich storytelling, this one is a must read.

🏏 Coaching Beyond: My days with the Indian cricket team

A self-help book where Sridhar uses cricket to talk about man-management skills, leadership, team bonding and communication.

The behind the scenes anecdotes are interesting but the overall writing and prose was underwhelming.

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🏏 Gully Gully

The book takes me back to those beautiful six weeks of 2023, where the entire nation was united by a common dream.

Replete with plenty of stories and written with finesse and brilliance, it is a must read for a cricket fan and if you love travelogues.

🏏 Wrist Assured

A detailed account of Vishwanath’s cricketing journey. He takes us back to the cricket of the 70’s & 80’s, when the time and the game both were simpler.

Falls in the Autobiography trap and focuses more on matches and statistics than the story.

🏏 The One: Cricket, my life and more

Dhawan talks about his struggles, highs and lows, friendships and experience with different coaches and captains he played under.

The memoir has valuable lessons for the upcoming cricketers. Apart from that, the book is strictly for Shikhar Dhawan fans.

🏏 Tested

Cummins interviews eleven accomplished personalities - individuals from different walks of life and across different countries, and presents their experiences and insights.

The diversity of stories makes for an enriching read. It is not a memoir and the aim is to help the readers become better leaders.

Let me know which book you enjoyed reading this year, especially if they don’t appear on the list.

I will be back with another review and more book lists in 2026. Happy Reading!

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The story begins with how Puja and Pujara first met, a coming together of people from two contrasting worlds. The narrative seamlessly oscillates between the professional and personal worlds of the Pujara family. Pujara’s early days struggles have been detailed with utmost sincerity. Playing cricket professionally comes with its own set of challenges and the authors have managed to carve out a very intimate and personal account of what it takes to be a family of an international cricketer.

With a person like Pujara - for whom words are scant and expressions limited, it would have been hard for an unassociated person to extract the kind of details Puja has managed to do in the book. The tiny behavioral traits, husband-wife banter and the evolving inter-personal relationships throughout his career - all makes for a compelling read. Co-authored by Namita Kala, the writing is simple, yet the words carry emotional heft to them.

The two Border Gavaskar Trophy (s) stand tall in Pujara’s career. The 2018 tour saw Pujara’s obsession for scoring massive runs. In 2021, it was about grit, fight and never giving up - adjectives that got affixed with Pujara for life. A cricket fan was left astounded. A non-cricket fan could not believe that a human mind and body was capable of taking so much pain. The passages on this series and Pujara’s performance will leave you thrilled.

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While the book addresses the issue of Pujara’s strike rate, it doesn’t offer any inputs or Pujara’s take on it. The book reveals how Pujara felt dismayed being labeled as a Test specialist, always wanting to explore other formats as well. Disappointed but not the one to cave in, Pujara played wherever and whenever he got the opportunity. Be it County or Indian domestic cricket, the nature of the series or format was not the one to stop him from playing.

The prose is fast-paced and engaging. Some chapters feel like a cozy conversation. The book doesn’t dwell deep into statistics and recordz and instead focuses on the human story. Unintentionally in those pages you will also discover the dynamics of flexibility and adjustability in relationships.

The subtitle of the book describes it as “An Unusual Memoir”. The same holds true for Pujara, an unusual cricketer - secured, detached and unfazed. His journey is deeply inspiring and the way he has navigated setbacks is a lesson for the upcoming cricketers.

I would like to close this review with a quote by him:

“I’m happy to play the game whenever or wherever I get the opportunity, because it is something I love.”

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“A good writer is the one who writes freshly and uniquely about an exceedingly common activity.”

I agree. Cricket writing has become boring and unimaginative. A biography or an autobiography spells out records and statistics like it has been given a command from an AI bot. The phrases find repeated and cliched use in cricket writings, even from the most proficient writers. Gully Gully breaks the clutter.

The writing is fresh, sometimes poetic. Iyer delivers an entertaining prose. Cricket becomes the vehicle to travel the country and he takes the reader on a joyous and enthralling ride. Every city that hosted an India game becomes a character. From Lucknow’s food to Chennai’s weather, each chapter is filled with anecdotes and stories that are worth savoring.

And so do the stadiums. The vivid descriptions of the murals, entrances and the media boxes make you feel you are at the stadium, experiencing the vibe in the most authentic manner.

I could also relate to the Kohli jumping into Bhangra during the New Zealand game in Dharamshala, which I happened to watch LIVE from the stands. Despite the ticket mismanagement that saw cricket fans waiting in queues forever, I managed to get my hands on tickets for a couple of games.

It was a festival, coming together of people who happen to share mutual love for a game. A game which is so engrained in every vein of our being that we forget there is a world outside it. The World Cup is arguably the biggest celebration of it. The book helped me revisit those beautiful six weeks of 2023.

The narrative involves Iyer collaborating with a cricket personality for each chapter. And not just cricketers. There are journalists, fans, retired cricketers and even administrators. This is the part that brings a unique perspective to the book and enhances the storytelling.

Iyer doesn’t shy away from being critical. He calls out the shambolic preparations, ugly and incomplete stadiums and uncivilized crowd behaviour. There is also an unbiasedness and objectivity in the manner in which he writes about the cricketers.

As a writer, Gully Gully inspires me to express myself in the most unfiltered yet restrained manner. There is a thin line between the two and writing in general excels when honesty is balanced with empathy, allowing sharp observations without sacrificing grace or nuance.

Writing a travelogue is painstaking. There is too much to plan, prepare and execute. We desperately need more writers who can bring candidness and originality to cricket writing. Who can move away from the bondages of clichés.

Verdict

Gully Gully has successfully carved out its own place among the vast library of cricket literature, standing out for its blend of travelogue, reportage, and deeply felt fandom.​
It captures not just matches, but the soul of Indian cities, stadiums, and supporters in a way that feels both intimate and expansive.​

What makes the book truly memorable is its commitment to honesty without indulgence, and its refusal to slip into lazy nostalgia or statistical recounting.​
For readers tired of formulaic match summaries and hagiographic biographies, this feels like a refreshing, human alternative that still respects the game’s magnitude.

If you enjoy cricket writing that doubles up as a window into contemporary India, this is a book worth returning to, not just during World Cup season but any time you want to relive what the sport can mean to a country.

My Rating: 4/5

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Kaushik explores the character behind the cricketer. Personality behind the human being. And he succeeds for the most part. He shares how Rohit once forgot his wedding ring - an attribute that has been infamously attached to his name.

“People think his cover drive or his pull shot is one of his greatest strengths. But his greatest strength is his ability to bounce back from setbacks”, says Dinesh Karthik. Rohit didn't have it easy. He had to fight untimely injuries and wait for his opportunity. But he persisted.

The eureka moment came in 2013 when the duo of Dhoni and Fletcher catapulted him as the opener. This was followed by a remarkable partnership with Dhawan in the Champions Trophy. He not only made that position his own but did it with flair and flamboyance. The book does not shy in giving credit to Dhoni, Kohli and Shastri who played a career-altering role in Rohit's career.

Rohit is only the second captain after MSD to have led the team to two ICC titles. He also has 5 IPL trophies to his credit. There is a full chapter dedicated to his captaincy. How he has bridged the gap between seniors and juniors is something we have all been witness to. The T20 World Cup win in 2024 stands tall in Rohit's glorious career and Kaushik triumphs in detailing the emotions and feelings.

The author assembles a cast of cricketers and coaches to add heft to the narrative. Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, WV Raman, Rahul Dravid and several others - each one has a Rohit story to share. While this enhances the storytelling and makes the book engaging, the passages sometimes becomes repetitive and tiresome.

But there is a bigger problem. Most of the book is a recollection of events, facts and statistics. The narrative oscillates between the landmark moments of Rohit's career. It stops celebrating the story and instead focuses on the events. Kaushik’s writing helps it thrive but there is very little to hold my interest.

The praises for his leadership are in plenty. Almost till a point where it risks becoming a hagiography. The 2023 World Cup is a recurring topic in the book. But there is very little mention of Rohit's captaincy in the final. Be it the misreading of the pitch. Or the bowling changes. Or how defensive Rohit was in setting the field. The book talks about the loss. Of the heartbreak. But not the errors.

Even the 3-0 hammering at the hands of the Kiwis in 2024. To put it in perspective, this was the first time India lost a three test series at home ever since it became a Test playing nation in 1932. It was a defining moment in Indian cricket and in Rohit’s leadership career too.

There is just a fleeting mention but nothing on Rohit's batting where he scored 94 runs across three matches or captaincy where he looked clueless and unimaginative with no real ideas. The author does explore his batting inconsistencies but I wish he delved into these moments in detail.

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Final Thoughts

In conclusion, if you are a Rohit fan, this book will delight you. For a neutral and a non-cricket fan, there is little here to keep you captivated.

My Rating: 3/5

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New story drops every Wednesday!

In this blog, I unearth forgotten gems, celebrate historical triumphs, and explore the finest literature from the world of cricket.

If you find these stories meaningful, or if they show you why cricket is important on and off the field, consider sharing them or subscribing.

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You May Also Like:

1. A World Cup Final In The Dark

2. Lara: The England Chronicles (Book Review)

3. War of the drinks

4. When Tony Grieg Cradled Gundappa Vishwanath like a baby

5. Before the IPL: Story of India’s First Cricket Carnival

6. Palwankar Baloo: A Legacy Lost To History

7. A Day At The Galle Cricket Stadium

8. Blood on the Pitch: Nari Contractor, Charlie Griffith and Frank Worrell’s Gift

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Backpack Chronicles

Stories from my explorations on travel, food and culture.

By Lakshit Singhal

Cricket fiction is a largely unexplored but exhilarating genre. Cricket, especially in South Asia, fosters a unique relatability, allowing it to serve as a captivating tool for reflecting on a variety of diverse topics seeking attention. Shehan Karunatilaka’s ambitious debut novel Chinaman is one such ostensible tale of Sri Lanka in the late 20th century through cricket and its many characters.

The Plot

Wijedasa Gamini Karunsena (Wije) is Chinaman’s voice - a retired sports journalist and an alcoholic who is drinking himself to death. He is on a quest to find spinner Pradeep Sivanathan Mathew, who according to him, is the greatest cricketer to have embraced the game.

He is accompanied by Ari Byrd, his cricket fanatic friend and a math teacher. Mathew played for Sri Lanka in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s before disappearing with no records of him to be found. Yet both Wije and Ari have witnessed his genius and are sure that he exists. Wije’s journey to find this mystery cricketer forms the underlying theme of the Chinaman.

The quest reveals as much about the narrator as it does about the legendary spinner. The 64-year-old journalist is enduring both a professional and personal crisis, hoping to redeem himself through the book he is writing about Pradeep. He is a volatile and short-tempered man who believes ‘unlike life, sport matters’.

"In 30 years, the world will not care about how I lived, "But in a hundred years, Bulgarians will still talk of Letchkov and how he expelled the mighty Germans from the 1994 World Cup with a simple header." Wije says.

His sole objective is to discover Mathew and complete the book before the sun sets on his life.

The book is neatly organized in five sections - each section titled after a cricketing nomenclature (First innings, second innings, close of play, follow-on and last over). The author has taken significant effort in explaining cricket terminologies and references to make for a cohesive read, even to non-cricket audiences.

Fact and fiction, involving cricket incidents and personalities, are amalgamated with astute perfection. The storytelling is complemented with an extensively devised plot featuring interesting characters (a six-fingered coach, fortune teller, diabolical midget, match-fixer etc.) and unconventional plot lines. Result is a spellbinding reading experience.

The narrative for most parts is based in Sri Lanka and keeps you on the edge at all times. There are enough twists and turns in the chase to keep you hooked. The inventive and engaging writing creates a fascinating world, elevating the reader's curiosity.

The finesse and honesty with which the author has carved out human relationships in a mystery thriller is commendable. I thoroughly enjoyed the hilarious one-liners and found the book incredibly funny.

How much do you know Srilanka and it's cricket?

The author cleverly highlights hard-hitting issues of corruption, ethnic division and terrorism in Sri Lanka - but only to the extent which cater to the main plot. Sri Lankan cricket and its cricketers remain at the core and drive the story forward.

They feature in regular cricket conversations between the characters, sometimes even becoming the reason for an argumentative conflict. The book also reflects on the plight of those cricketers who are forgotten after a few magical appearances, only to be found suffering later in life.

Final Take: Must Read

So, does Wije manage to discover Pradeep Mathew? Is he alive? Does he even exist? Chinaman answers this and a lot more. It reveals so much that is unknown about the history and culture of the island nation. It will leave you amazed by its imaginative capabilities.

You will root for the protagonist to succeed in his race against time, feel the characters and their endearing relationships, and celebrate cricket. Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and would highly recommend it as a great addition to your bookshelf.

My Rating: 5/5

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This blog looks at the real stories that have shaped cricket, highlighting the moments of loss, hope, and determination that have defined the game. From the events at Ellis Park to other lesser-known incidents, the posts focus on times when cricket’s meaning goes beyond just the results.

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