Cricket holds a significance in India that extends far beyond just being a game. Even individuals who don’t have a particular interest in cricket are likely to have some knowledge about the players, as there is almost always someone in their family who is passionate about the sport and can’t help but talk about it. Whether in small villages or big cities, cricket is played on every street corner. Countless children dream of becoming cricketers, and their parents hope that they will become the next Tendulkar, Kohli, Dhoni, or Dravid. Fans are enamoured with these cricket legends and are eager to learn about their lives off the field. Many of these cricketing stalwarts have written books about their lives and cricketing journeys. In keeping with the indomitable spirit of the game, we at Top 10s Only bring you the Top 10 Best Indian Cricket Autobiographies for cricket fans who wish to learn more about the trials and tribulations in the lives of their favourite cricketers.
List of Top 10 Best Indian Cricket Autobiographies
Cricket books come in many different forms, such as coaching manuals, cricketer biographies, and autobiographies. Autobiographies are the most sought-after cricket books, as they provide valuable insight into some of the most iconic moments in cricketing history. These books may be released in response to controversies, immediately after retirement, or to provide answers to questions that fans have always been curious about. In short, there’s never a dull moment for cricket enthusiasts when it comes to reading about the game.
The books chosen below have been written by some of the most legendary Indian cricketers. These books cover the monumental journey these players had to undertake and the sacrifices they had to make to get to the pinnacle of their careers. These cricket autobiographies are inspirational, motivational, and highly recommended to read, as they are the best autobiographical books written by Indian cricketers.
1. “Playing It My Way” By Sachin Tendulkar (With Boria Majumdar)
Sachin Tendulkar is one of the greatest cricketers the world has ever seen. Our article Top Ten Moments Of Sachin Tendulkar That’ll Always Be Etched In Memory had explored the sheer genius of his cricketing prowess. So, who wouldn’t want to read Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography, especially Indians who hold him in high regard not only as a player but also as a person? He is a cricket icon and can be considered an institution in himself. A glimpse into his life and the inner world would be eagerly welcomed. Moreover, the book’s title alone would be enough to entice any cricket fan to pick it up. It is simply amazing to read about a man who played cricket with the same passion as when he started playing cricket. The book succeeds in showing it and hence is one of the top Indian cricket autobiography books. It also demonstrates the hard work that even a genius like him had to put in. The book is an engaging read that highlights the remarkable journey of his career, characterised by sacrifices and challenges. Here are a few details about the book.
Publisher(s)
Hodder & Stoughton
Year Of First Publication
December 16, 2015
Formats Available
Paperback, Kindle Edition, Hardcover
Awards
Playing It My Way won the prestigious Crossword Book of the Year in the Autobiography Category.
2. “A Century Is Not Enough: My Roller-Coaster Ride To Success” By Sourav Ganguly (With Gautam Bhattacharya)
If you have been following cricket since the 1990s, then you’re bound to know about the ups and downs in Sourav Ganguly’s cricketing career. From being a debutant century-maker at Lord’s to his spat with coach Greg Chappel at the end of his career, he was always in the thick of things when it came to cricket. This is one of the top Indian cricketers’ autobiography books, as it covers everything related to his cricketing career. He talks about his first game, his stint as the dynamic and aggressive leader, handholding youngsters, and the crushing setbacks of being dropped from the IPL and the national team. He also writes about the other legends that played with him, Sachin, Dravid, and Laxman. The book is not about his personal life but about his cricket career and how he overcame challenges and remained a winner every time.
Publisher(s)
Juggernaut Books
Year Of First Publication
February 24, 2018
Formats Available
Paperback and Kindle Edition
3. “281 And Beyond” By VVS Laxman (With R. Kaushik)
VVS Laxman was a stylish batsman who could dazzle fans with his delightful strokeplay almost against any bowler of any speed. He held his own playing with greats like Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sourav Ganguly. Together they were called the “Fab Four” of Indian cricket. This is a book that commemorates the huge 281 runs that he scored in 2001 against Australia and is one of the best autobiographies of Indian cricket players. It touches on his childhood, his love for playing in Australia, his mental breakdowns in the dressing room, and his hard work to stay focused and attain success. It is an inspiring read for those who want to know more about his cricketing journey.
Publisher(s)
Westland Sport
Year Of First Publication
November 19, 2018
Formats Available
Paperback and Hardcover
Awards
281 And Beyond has won the Best Autobiography of the Year at Ekarma Sports Literature Festival.
4. “The Test of My Life: From Cricket to Cancer and Back” By Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh may be famous as the first person to hit six sixes in an over in T20, but he is also known as a player with a huge heart who played for the team and not just for accomplishing his cricketing milestones. The autobiography ‘The Test of My Life’ focuses on the ups and downs he faced in his career as well as his personal life. The book has two interesting and heartwarming stories: One is about a cricketer who was a role model to many youngsters, and the other is about his battle against cancer and his comeback after fighting it. The book evokes strong emotions as the author vividly shares his personal experience of being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease and his unwavering determination to overcome it. Ranked among the top ten autobiographies of Indian cricketers, his book is a compelling testament to the fact that cancer can be conquered, and with perseverance, one can reclaim a normal life.
Publisher(s)
R. H. I. Publishers
Year Of First Publication
March 1, 2013
Formats Available
Paperback, Kindle and Hardcover
5. “Believe: What Life And Cricket Taught Me” By Suresh Raina
At the height of his career, Suresh Raina was one of the most talented cricketers who played for the Indian cricket team. He was also a crucial member of the MSD-led CSK IPL team. Suresh Raina’s memoir, “Believe,” vividly portrays both the challenging and rewarding moments of his dynamic cricket career. This book is one of the top 10 autobiography books in India by Indian cricketers, as it is not just an attempt to chronicle his prowess as an all-rounder but also how he knocked out the problems life threw at him and how he managed to remain calm despite all the storms. His book “Believe” is straight from the heart and to the point, and it is a story of love, luck, and belief. This is a book that is a must-read for every Suresh Raina fan and a lover of cricket in general.
Publisher(s)
Penguin Ebury Press
Year Of First Publication
June 14, 2021
Formats Available
Paperback, Kindle and Audiobook
6. “Imperfect” By Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar is a well-known figure in the world of cricket, having enjoyed a successful career as a professional cricketer before transitioning to become a renowned cricket commentator. The memoir “Imperfect” is one of the best Indian autobiography books to read written by Indian cricketers, as it stands out as being a unique and compelling read, fearlessly exposing the author’s flaws and vulnerabilities to the reader. This book is about his life as well as his cricketing career, with an analysis of his strengths and weaknesses as well as his successes and failures. In this book, Sanjay Manjrekar uses his analytical skills to look at his career as a cricketer. He also reflects on his relationships with his father and with other notable Indian cricket greats from his years on the cricket field. Imperfect has established high standards for cricket writing by imparting valuable life lessons that extend beyond the realm of cricket fandom.
Publisher(s)
Harper Sport India
Year Of First Publication
December 21, 2017
Formats Available
Paperback, Kindle and Hardcover
7. “Sunny Days – An Autobiography” By Sunil Gavaskar
This is the autobiography of the great Sunil Gavaskar, who writes about his life and how he grew to the heights that he reached in his career. The book has an interesting start, as it begins by recounting how he was switched at birth and how he was luckily restored to his parents. The book portrays Gavaskar prior to his historic accomplishments in 1971 and highlights his ability to handle early success in cricket without becoming spoiled. In the later phases of the book, he chronicles the struggles he faced with the Indian team. This is one of the Indian cricket autobiography books that is written with humility and imparts a grace that makes the book a great read.
Publisher(s)
Rupa Publications India
Year Of First Publication
January 1, 1976
Formats Available
Paperback
8. “Stargazing: The Players In My Life” By Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri is one of those lucky people who seems to attract success no matter where they go. He has had a remarkable journey in the world of cricket, having gone from being a Champion of Champions to becoming a highly acclaimed head coach and finally earning his place as a world-class commentator renowned for his intriguing anecdotes. Even among the latest generation of cricket enthusiasts, he remains a well-known and highly respected figure. His book Star Gazing is a must-have autobiographical book for cricket fans of all ages, as it is a write-up of cricketers that he was involved with as a commentator, coach, and player. It is one of the best cricket autobiography books of Indian players, as he brings not only famous cricketers like Virat Kohli to the forefront but also good cricketers who have been forgotten today, like Prasanna, Venkataraghavan, etc. It is a well-written and comprehensive book that is a delight to read for fans, researchers, and viewers, as well as players.
Publisher(s)
Harper Collins India
Year Of First Publication
25 August 2021
Formats Available
Kindle, Audiobook and Hardcover
9. “Straight From The Heart” By Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev is a well-known cricketer who needs no introduction, particularly for his remarkable achievement as the first Indian captain to win the World Cup in 1983. While he has already written two autobiographical books, his latest work, Straight from the Heart, stands out as an incredibly inspirational and motivational read. The book is a simple and honest portrayal of Kapil Dev’s dedication to reaching new heights in his career, despite facing just one break due to non-cricketing reasons.
Through his autobiography, Kapil Dev shares insights into his mindset as a tremendous fighter and a living legend who has achieved the rare feat of capturing more than 400 wickets and scoring over 5,200 runs. Straight from the Heart has earned its place among the top 10 best autobiographies by Indian cricket players, and it exemplifies the passion and dedication required to excel in the sport. Kapil Dev’s book serves as a wonderful reflection of these values, making it a must-read for any cricket enthusiast seeking inspiration and motivation.
Publisher(s)
Laxmi Publications
Year Of First Publication
January 1, 2003
Formats Available
Hardcover
10. “One More Over” By Erapalli Prasanna
Erapalli Prasanna, famously known as Pras, was one of the best orthodox off-spinners the game has seen. He was a master of drift, flight and guile and played an important role in a rare overseas victory way back in 1970-71. The book talks about many things related to cricket and does not mince words, whether taking on his team members or the cricket board. The book is one of the top autobiographies of famous Indian cricketers that is interesting to read as he mentions taking a break in his prime for five years to complete his engineering degree. One more over is a great read for every fan and is an education to a cricket writer who wants to know about the glorious period of cricket in the 60s and the 70s in which Prasanna was an integral part.
Publisher(s)
Rupa Publications India
Year Of First Publication
January 1, 1977
Formats Available
Paperback
Conclusion
Autobiographies are a great source of information for fans that want insight into the game from the view of the cricketer in question. The above autobiographical books by the greatest Indian cricket players of all time educate us about how they deal with pressure situations and how they cope with all the pressure and expectations of a win every time they play. So if you are a cricket fan, don’t miss out on these must-read top 10 books by Indian cricketers.
Be sure to check out our article about the Top 10 Best Cricket Biographies if you want to know more about the lives and achievements of some of the greatest cricket players of all time!