Top 10 Books Written by Indian Cricketers

It’s cricket season. Some are fans of Virat Kohli, while some are missing Dhoni, especially how poorly the Indian Cricket team is playing in the T20 World Cup of 2021. While there’s madness for the sport and the team winning or losing the match, there’s more longing to see and learn about the players besides what we already know.

Everyone loves cricket and to set the mood right for this year’s cricket matches, what other better way would there be than to read about our players and take the excitement of this game to a new level. These are the top ten books by Indian cricket players that we are sure you would love to add to your collection. These autobiographies/biographies proving to be riveting as well as inspirational.


1. Playing It My Way: My Autobiography by Sachin Tendulkar

This is the autobiography of the legend in cricket and the highest-scoring batsman who inspires many - Sachin Tendulkar. In his book, he talks about his journey from the beginning of his cricket career, when he played his first test match at the age of 16, till his retirement in 2013. 

It mainly focuses on Tendulkar’s cricket matches, his personal losses, and his love for food. This would be best for fans who have already read and loved Gavaskar's The Sunny Days. However, the book also contains many photographs of his childhood, family, and time as a player immersing the reader in the journey. You can find the book here.

2. The Test of My Life: From Cricket to Cancer and Back by Yuvraj Singh

It is the heart throbbing autobiography of Yuvraj Singh that not only focuses on the ups and downs in his career as a player as well as his life-threatening battle with cancer when he was in the USA. This book proves to have an emotional get-to-know with Yuvraj as he narrates his journey and talks about the hesitance he had when he first got diagnosed with his illness and his grit to fight later on. 

It is the best cricket book for almost anyone with a lesson on being brave and never losing hope, whether you're a player or not. Moreover, it teaches the many lessons of perseverance and having faith in laying one’s fears open and facing them. You can find the book here.

3. 281 and Beyond by VVS Laxman

Commemorating the jaw-dropping momentous time of 281 against Australia in 2001, this book celebrates the man behind the action - VVS Laxman. Being a part of a country that loves the sport is hell and heaven together.

This book is told by V.V.S Laxman himself, a former cricketer who somehow never made it to the world cup. Although he has always been soft-spoken and tried to avoid controversy, this book provides an excellent opportunity for fans to learn about his life and feel inspired. 

He talks invariably and very honestly about his dressing room mental breakdowns as well as one of his happiest moments, along with his frustrations about when things didn’t go according to his plan. So, if you are looking for a book to learn about the cricket world from the lens of a cricketer’s view, this is the best cricket book for you to pick up this time of the year! You can find the book here.


4. A Century is Not Enough: My Roller Coaster Ride to Success by Sourav Ganguly

In this book, you’ll have Sourav Ganguli making you a part of the journey of his life. He is considered one of India's most successful Test captions. However, he also goes through many controversies involving his take on family, friends, and learnings. The writing is pretty straightforward and almost delivers like a thriller with nerve-wracking moments. This will make a thoroughly enjoyable read for any cricket fan. You can find the book here.

5. Believe: What Life and Cricket Taught Me by Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina was bullied in school and cricket camps, but when Sachin Tendulkar told him to “believe,” he had it engraved in his heart and soul and kept knocking out every problem life threw at him. 

There are many great insights about how he managed the team and his impact on Gregg Chapell, and how he directs all his aggression towards the field but remains composed in general. The book is straight to the point and easy to comprehend. 

This is Suresh Raina’s story of hope, belief, love, and luck that any person would find highly encouraging to read. You can find the book here.

6. Sunny Days: Sunil Gavaskar’s Own Story by Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar humbly talks about his life in this book with his dear fans. He shares how his story began with being switched at birth, having a tight blow of a fist from a very young age that still persists to this day, and about being bullied in school by other kids along with his struggles as a part of the Indian cricket team. 

It added to a glimpse of his heyday in the 70s when India was just getting popular in the playing field and reads more like a tour blog of Gavaskar’s life filled with many hilarious anecdotes. A very charming and encouraging read for any fan of cricket! You can find the book here.

7. Stargazing: The Players in My Life by Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri’s autobiography is filled with beautiful illustrations, and never-known anecdotes and secrets elucidate how players across the globe have inspired India's most successful Test cricket coach, which counts this one as one of the best cricket books. 

He comments on the cricketers who didn’t rise up to their potential and about the crucial lessons of life and the game he learned in the playfield and his experience as Virat Kohli’s coach. You can find the book here.

8. A Biography of Rahul Dravid: The Nice Guy Who Finished First by Devendra Prabhudesai

Rahul Dravid is the first Indian ever to score five double centuries, and this biography spans the time of his whole career from 1996 till 2005, and it reads much like reportage than a biography. 

It also talks about the three most essential principles in Rahul Dravid’s life that he explains with 3D’s- dedication, discipline, and determination. So his biography not only talks about his highs and lows but focuses on the battles he had with himself while trying to make his own identity amongst the stereotypes and standards already set by his teammates and even opponents. 

It’s a compilation of facts and opinions collaged together into a time-linear order. Get a better understanding of the game by reading this cricketer’s biography. You can find the book here.

9. The Sardar of Spin by Neha Bedi

Bishan Singh Bedi was the best left-arm spinner and a former Indian cricketer. In this anthology autobiography, there are comments by him and many other well-known retired Indian cricketers, mainly focusing on the life and achievements of Bishan Bedi. It chronicles the 19 first class of the cricket career. Best cricket book for any fan who wants to learn more about the Indian Cricket team. You can find the book here.

10. Imperfect by Sanjay Manjrekar

Imperfect is a memoir that will take any cricket fan or avid reader to a jog down Sanjay Manjrekar’s photographic memory as he makes observations about which new sports people should surely take note of. 

He comments on his career’s success as well as his weaknesses, analyzing his every move. The autobiography is neutrally opinionated and mellowed down without taking any punches over the controversies or the rosy retrospective face of the celebrity life often shown in movies. It will count as one of the best cricket books for you to pick up! You can find the book here.