This outlines Soumya’s experiences as a cricket fanatic while growing up. Part of the book’s charm lies in the fact that his experiences are old-school and likely to be different from yours and mine. Our experiences are largely internet-based, the odd stadium visit, discussions with friends, and well, more online. Soumya’s experiences were very different and some of the anecdotes almost tell us what we, slaves to the digital era, are missing out on.
Here’s a sample of some of the stuff he does:
As a student in London, he blows his entire stash of savings to travel to his hometown, Calcutta, to watch a certain final between India and West Indies. And mind you, these are the days before cheap flights. He was lambasted by his family, but I somehow don’t think he’ll mind that too much. He managed to see Anil Kumble rack up 6/12.
Before we were spoilt with on-screen graphs and online stat engines, there were notebooks. Sometimes charts, also. Soumya used to fill his floor with all sorts of charts – run rate, batsman’s scores, NRR, etc, much to the chagrin of his in-laws.
The best story is on India’s most important and historic day as far as cricket is concerned – 25 June 1983 (if you don’t know the significance of that date, you probably have no business reading this article!). Soumya’s family was one of the few who had a TV, but he felt all was lost when India was bundled out for 183. Resigned to his (and his countrymen’s) fate, he decided to make himself useful and run some errands – going to the nearby restaurant for some food. Only there, did he hear on the radio that India were fighting back and Viv Richards was out! Soumya ran back home, opened his home to neighbours, and celebrated India’s most famous victory on the cricket field.
This is by no means an intellectual book. This is a fan gushing about his love for the game and the extent to which he will go, and is a charming read. Every Indian cricket fanatic will identify with this.
The sequel to the book, All That You Can’t Leave Behind – is a disappointment, though, since it is just more of the same and offers nothing new.
You Must Like Cricket?, however, is a joy to read, and is available on Flipkart here. However, I recommend you search your local bookstore, because the original price is INR 199, which makes it true value for money.
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