Pundits from Pakistan

Author: Rahul Bhattacharya

Publisher: Replika Press

Number of pages: 344

Suggested by: Nrupal

Where did I find it: Borrowed from Nrupal

Read when: September ‘07

The book:

This is a must read for all cricket fans and a definite read for non-cricket fans to realize what they are missing. It’s all about cricket. It’s not only about cricket. The book is an account of the 03-04 India tour of Pakistan.

The book starts with a debate that has been going on since the Romans! “Why do people like sports?” I found myself thinking ‘What have I gotten into?!” But the author, thankfully, doesn’t stretch it beyond tolerance and quickly gets in to the matter on hand: India and Pakistan.

He sketches an appreciable background, needless to say, involving politics, religion, The Bus and The War. A perfect platform for what was to come. And as he progresses, his narrative of the Pakistani cities, their history, the people and their hospitality is indeed fascinating.

And then begins the enthralling match by match, innings by innings, session by session web of runs, wickets, centuries and controversies. It’s a superbly compiled account of the one dayers, the test matches, and the rest days. Its unbelievable how unbiased he remains throughout the book. You know what? I can go on and on about how well its written and how engrossing it is. But I am gonna stop it now and just ask you to READ IT!!..

The most captivating thing about the book is the language. The author has an amazing way with the queen’s language. It’s not about the big obscure words; it’s about the way simple words are used to create a fantastic narration. Its music when he is describing a player and its melody when he is describing a city. There were many instances when I read and re-read a sentence or a paragraph because it was just so gorgeously written.

Recommendation: The book is refreshing for two reasons. One, as I already mentioned, it’s a rare unbiased account of an India-Pakistan series. Two, seldom do you find a sports (especially cricket) journalist who reports so matter of factually without forcing through a piece of his own mind. As I said before READ IT!!

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