Libraries Of Leaders: What Rahul Dravid, Amit Mishra And Ayaz Memon Are Reading This IPL Season
What current and former Indian cricketers read.
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It’s that time of year when cricket marries Bollywood and the Indian Premier League becomes the flavour of the season. This week on Libraries of Leaders we take a look at what a batting-legend-turned-coach, an India-capped player and a journalist-turned-commentator read and recommend.
Amit Mishra
A classy wrist spinner in the classic mould, Mishra made his first-class debut in an era dominated by India’s spin twins Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. Mishra earned a one day cap in 2003, but it wasnt until 2008 that he made his Test debut. Mishy, as he is known to his team mates, relies on good old fashioned loop dip and spin to outfox batsmen in a generation where darting flat ones into the pads is the norm. Here are some of his favourite books.
1. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
A story of love and rebellion against established norms, the book tells the story of an architect and his defiance of convention, in a profession steeped in traditionalism.
The novel’s protagonist Howard Roark is an inspirational character. This book is extremely motivational and helps people pursue their dreams. Roark embodies an ideal man. He just refuses to compromise his artistic and personal vision for worldly recognition and success. This book makes one very brave.Amit Mishra, Indian Cricketer And Bowler, Delhi Daredevils
2. Autobiography Of A Yogi by Paramahamsa Yogananda
Written by one of the most prominent spiritual personalities in India , the book is a recognised authority on Kriya Yoga and meditation techniques. It also dwells on the author’s extraordinary childhood, his experiences as an understudy to Indian mystics, and the three decades he spent in America sharing his experiences and the techniques he learnt. Mishra said the book introduces one to a method to realise god and is a must read .
3. Wings Of Fire by Arun Tiwari
The book is a biography detailing the life and times of nuclear scientist-turned-Indian President, the late APJ Abdul Kalam. The book tells of his meteoric rise from humble beginnings to becoming a head of state.
This book has truly motivated me. It gives everyone a confidence to dream big, to achieve your goal. It’s a brilliant book.Amit Mishra, Bowler, Delhi Daredevils
Rahul Dravid
Rahul “The Wall ” Dravid has 24,000 intentional runs punctuated by 48 centuries, making him a modern great. Jammy, as he is known to fellow cricketers, also filled in as wicket-keeper during India’s 2003 World Cup campaign. He is the fourth player in Test history to score tons against all Test playing nations. Interestingly, Dravid has represented Scotland as an overseas professional in their U.K domestic debut in 2003 .
He told Vikram Sathaye, host of the popular “What The Duck ”web series, that he started reading whilst in college to take his mind off cricket from time to time. Constantly thinking about who he was going to face in the game the next day, his grip, his stance and how he was going to get runs was sapping, Dravid said.
Reading opens one’s eyes to the world and allows one to look at he world through other people’s eyes.Rahul Dravid, Former Indian Captain
Johnathan Livingstone Seagull by Richard Bach
Dravid said that the book, which tells of a seagull’s constant quest for excellence and its efforts to pass on his knowledge to others, was one he would recommend to anyone pursuing excellence. He had been given the book by the late bowlwr Hanumant Singh when he was 16 or 17 years old and that it was “inspirational”.
Ayaz Memon
Ayaz Memon wears many hats. He is a journalist-turned-commentator, author and lawyer. One of India’s most experienced hands, he has covered nine cricket World Cups, and written for several Indian publications.Here some of the #cricketwallahs favourite books; surprise surprise they are all cricket related
1. Beyond A Boundary by CLR James
The book written by the Trinanad-born Marxist historian and cricket writer, explores his love affair with cricket in a socio-historical and philosophical context. A legendary quote from the book “what do they know of cricket who only cricket know ” has cemented itself in the annals of cricket history .
A magnificent treatise which examines cricket in the paradigm of race , class , nationalism and Caribbean unity.Ayaz Memon, Journalist-Turned-Commentator
2. The Art Of Cricket by Donald Bradman
According to Memon, the book is a comprehensive study on how to play the game, right down to choosing the right equipment. It’s authored by the man who averaged 99.94 in Test cricket over 52 games, and an even more incredible 95.14 in 234 first class outings. Need we say more?
3. The Art Of Captaincy by Mike Brearly
Brearly was arguably one of the best captains in the history of the game and retained his place in a strong England side despite being a fairly mediocre player by virtue of his astute and inspiring leadership. Memon said the book was an insightful treatise on one of the most difficult and fascinating facets of the game .
