Popular memoirs and biographies of Indian cricketers

Cricket in India isn’t a game, it’s a religion. The obsession associated with the sport is unprecedented and cricketers have attained the status of demi-gods with people loving them not just for their game but also for who they are. With an audience which is equally keen on the personal and professional lives of the super eleven, autobiographies and biographies would be a popular choice! Listed below are some of the most popular ones that you should definitely read if you’re a cricket enthusiast.

Photo: Canva

Inspirational to say the least, Suresh Raina’s book talks about the titular virtue, belief, that helped him reach the heights that he has attained. Hailing from a small town and a disciplined, army background, financial crunches were a run of the mill for Raina. In this book he talks about the very moment he started to believe in himself and decided to overcome everything that stood in his way. Touching upon his family, friends and team, the book would be an absolute delight for his fans.

Photo: Penguin India

The man who led millions of Indians to the World Cup of 2011, MS Dhoni is known for his impeccable captaincy and wicket keeping skills. In addition to these, the book talks about his life as a regular boy from Ranchi, and his advent into the sport. Bharat Sundaresan makes a detailed case for the former Indian captain by delving into intricate details of his childhood that he got from his childhood friends. IPL and Dhoni’s association with Chennai also forms a significant part of the book that comprehensively covers his life.

Photo: Penguin India

A former all-rounder, now a commentator and the head coach for team India, Ravi Shastri has been an achiever throughout life. In his book he shares the lesser known parts of him, the most hilarious anecdotes and his experiences with players from the team, then and now; and the exceptional talent that he has discovered. Talking specifically about his experiences with players from the team, he marks their role in shaping him as a person and a cricketer. The book encompasses his 40 years of cricket and is a must read for all fans of the sport.

Photo: HarperCollins India

Recounting the best of anecdotes from his personal life, that include him being exchanged as a newborn in the hospital, Sunil Gavaskar in his book shares how cricket has always been in his blood. His father and uncle being cricketers, his mother was a ‘cricket mother’ who made sure she played with him despite getting a bleeding nose in the process once. Gavaskar’s ascent to the top as one of the finest players of Cricket and breaking multiple records is a treat to read.

Photo: Rupa Publcations India

The book traces Virat’s journey to captaincy and is an inspirational piece of work that epitomizes perseverance and an indomitable spirit that continue to be characteristic of the Indian Captain who has made excellence a habit.

Photo: Bloomsbury India

Popularly referred to as ‘The God of Cricket’, Sachin Tendulkar has attained fame and adulation that cut across generations. He has become synonymous with cricket and his journey of 24 long years in the world of Cricket, is what his autobiography is all about. Beginning right from the time when he played his first international game to his retirement, the book is a potent explanation for the status that he enjoys as a cricketer and a human being.

Photo: Hodder & Stoughton

Sourav Ganguly's autobiography 'A Century is not enough: My roller-coaster ride to success' was published in 2018. The title is self-suggestive vis-à-vis the overarching theme of the book. No one has an easy journey but Dada’s way to the top was strewn with rapidly changing highs and lows. The book is however a lesson in the fact that no matter how bad things may go, bouncing back is always a possibility and a positive mind-set is half the battle won.

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Divided into two parts, the book follows Yuvraj Singh's rise to fame, name and excellence and the second part covers his battle with cancer and convalescence- both mental and physical. Called ‘inspirational’ by Sachin Tendulkar, this book should be on the must read list of every cricket fan who suffered a set-back when the beloved cricketer was diagnosed with the fatal disease.

Photo: Penguin eBury Press

Characterised by calm, the Captain of the Under-19 team is actually the Captain Cool who has always managed to retain the stability of the team, even during the most trying times. Also known as ‘the wall’ of Indian Cricket, Dravid has been an integral part of the world of Cricket and India. Released in February 2019, this book takes the reader through instances and moments of the life of the great cricketer that are a lesson in great leadership.

Photo: Rupa Publications India