Introduction
Some books have a personal story. Eye on Cricket for me is that book. This particular work of literature came as a blessing in disguise, for it introduced me to the vastness and limitlessness of the emotion that cricket is. You know how we say that cricket is more than a game. This book justifies the phrase.
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 forward for the book, 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 thought I concur with.
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 doesn't merely focus on statistics or anecdotes. It talks to the cricket fan within you. It recognizes your individuality while acknowledging the commonality of how we interact with the game.
Each essay dwells upon a subject that may be familiar with most cricket enthusiasts. Take for example the chapters on childhood cricket. They shall take you back to your gully cricket or club cricket playing days. Talking about the cricket equipment, the author highlights how he shared a passion for the game with his friends but the economics of their households and the equipment that they could afford resulted in a class barrier. Something that was hard to forgo even after many years.
He shares the feeling of being proud and satisfied after achieving the milestone of his highest score in a local game because according to him-
" 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.
Samir Chopra intelligently expands the horizons of cricket literature. 99.94 may be a random number. Similarly, 15,921, 774 or 8,032. But for a cricket fan, these numbers hold significance. Even the years. Indian cricket fans cherish 1932, 1952, 1971 and many more.
It's a totally different dimension - one which has privileged accessibility. This not-so-routine take on fans' obsession with numbers in cricket makes for a compelling read. It is not a surprise that his personal favourite number is 796.358 - a number that represents the library classification code for cricket books.
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A Philosophical Twist
Philosophy finds itself engrained across the length of the book. The author offers a philosophical take on different types of fans and their relationship with the game. Why do some fans leave the stadium before the game is finished? Or how a player fan understands and appreciates the game differently from a regular fan.
Discourses like these not only liberate your thinking but also keep you hooked to the book. Though the essays are not connected to each other, they are neatly organized in different categories, giving us the freedom to choose and read in the order of our preference.
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 it may 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.
Or how Fire in Babylon was a victim of poor storytelling. Some of these chapters may draw diverse opinions and may not appeal to everyone alike but they present a thoughtful narrative.
A constant topic of debate has been related to the evolution of the formats of the game. I am grateful that the author chose to break down Test cricket in a way that will make the current generation appreciate its uniqueness - how different passages of play gives it a distinct identity and reinstate the fact that it is the true format that allows all twenty two people to be a significant part of the game. In other chapters of this section, we find evocative descriptions of the transforming look and feel of the game and the thrill of slip catching.
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Final Thoughts
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, it is endearing and relatable. There is never a dull moment since the author has artfully supplemented the narrative with interesting trivia and anecdotes.
And finally, there is a chapter dedicated specifically to sports writing which I found informative and helpful. It gave me wings to be fearless and aspirational as a writer. It also gave me the confidence that I can pick the most trivial subject and contextualize it within the definition of the game.
In the words of the author, if you cannot stop watching or thinking about cricket, this is the book worth having on your shelf.
Can't wait to read Eye on Cricket? Get your copy from the link below:
Eye on cricket is written by Samir Chopra and published by Harper Collins.
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