Introduction
Some books carry a personal story for their readers and Eye on Cricket is that book for me. It arrived as a blessing in disguise, introducing me to the vastness and limitlessness of the emotion that cricket is and truly showing why cricket is more than just a game.
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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