The Brabourne Classic Of 1949 And After

The book, which takes the readers on a time travel, IS ENGAGING

- S. Dinakar

From Mumbai to Durban India’s Greatest Tests By S. Giridhar & V. J. Raghunath (Published by Juggernaut Books; Price: Rs. 799)

The year was 2001. The Australians had smelt blood and were closing in for the kill. Blown away by a formidable attack in the first innings, the Indians were on the ropes in the second innings too. The host was staring at adversity, and an inevitable defeat. Then, against all odds, a timeless fight back arrived.

Magic was in the air as V. V. S. Laxman and Rahul Dravid, with resilience, valour and considerable skill, scripted one of the greatest partnerships of all time.

THE VENUE WAS THE ICONIC Eden Gardens. The attack that suffered at the hands of these two elegant Indians included the mighty Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. The all-conquering Steve Waugh’s men were kept wicket-less on Day Four, and then the irrepressible Harbhajan Singh bowled India to a sensational victory on the final day.

Test cricket is the real thing. This fact is driven home forcefully in From Mumbai to Durban, which picks 28 greatest Tests India has figured in. The authors, S. Giridhar and V. J. Raghunath, have written the book in lucid style, travelling across eras with ease. The book possesses substance and style.

Giridhar and Raghunath, good cricketers in their time, with the latter making a name for himself in the competitive TNCA First Division League, have picked 28 classics to showcase India’s rise as a cricket nation, moving from the periphery to the centre stage.

The book comprises four chapters: Hope Takes Roots, A Heady Feeling, Everyone’s Game and The Rise to the Top.