10 Best Cricketers Autobiographies that Every Cricket Fan Must Read

Best Cricketers Autobiographies

All the cricket fans are generally interested in knowing about the dressing room conversations of their favourite cricketers and about what happen off the field behind the cameras. They are always eager to know the details about controversies like Greg Chappell and Sourav Ganguly saga or very important cricketing decisions like Promotion of MS Dhoni in the batting Line up ahead of In form Yuvraj Singh during the 2011 World Cup Final.

Best Cricketers Autobiographies

Autobiographies are the only source which offers the fans insight about how games pan out in cricketer’s point of view, educates us about the pressure dealt with them in crunch situations and how they cope up with the pressure from fans who expect them to win every match they play. The Autobiographies help us to understand the game better. So a good Autobiography must offer   insight, whether that be delving into the chemistry of the dressing room or providing clear understanding to the reader about any situation described. Here are ten intriguing Autobiographies that a cricket lover cannot miss.

#1 Farewell to Cricket -Don Bradman

Farewell to cricket

If you ask anyone the question “Who is the greatest batsmen ever?”   you will get various answers from different parts of the world like Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, Viv Richards etc,  but not everyone agrees with the above mentioned players,  Sir Don Bradman is the only one  who is Unanimously agreed as Best batsmen to ever wield the bat across the whole cricketing universe including critics.

All of us mostly recognise the great man through the benchmark he left behind  the Average of 99.4, a record which still looks  insurmountable to this day as no one has been able to match up  to the consistency levels of  Icon. The present generation of fans has little to no information about the most decorated batsmen in the sports history so this book is a must read for all the ardent cricket fans. The book does not deal too much about the personal life of the legend, but it provides vivid information about his cricketing career.

It offers intricate details about how the game was played during the Bradman era. It also covers inside details some of the famous Ashes moments like Bodyline controversies. The legend himself gives his views and analyses some of his famous knocks.

#2 Playing It My Way- Sachin Tendulkar

Playing It My Way

Considered the best of all time by some or second best to Sir Bradman by most, Sachin Tendulkar (Considered God of Indian Cricket) had one of the most decorated careers in the Sports History over two decades. Playing It My Way again rolls through on similar lines as the autobiography of Bradman. It mainly concentrates on Sachin’s cricket journey and accomplishments.

The book offers information about his Ranji Centuries, his Maiden International Century, Famous victories, World cups, facing Pakistan trio Waqar, Wasim, Akhtar, his Marathon partnerships with other members of Fab Four and almost every significant part of his cricket journey. In this book Sachin discuses ups and downs of his vast legendary career. Sachin Also sheds some light on his enigmatic relationship with his wife Anjali during early 90’s. A whole Chapter named “ANJALI” sheds Love and romance, which attracts casual reader.

For youngsters who have grown up watching Sehwag, Dhoni, Yuvraj, Kohli, it would be intriguing to know about a game in the 90s, which were dramatic times in Indian Cricket. The only disappointment was that he did not address any controversy during his playing days like Match fixing scandal, Greg Chappell issue etc. in the book. Sachin, who has been reticent man on and of the pitch, was not expected to reveal something that would create any fuss in cricket community.

#3 Controversially Yours- Shoaib Akhtar

Controversially Yours

Shoaib Akhtar had a roller coaster career, spanning over 14 years. He is remembered as fastest bowler the game ever seen, as he once clocked – 161 km/hr. Akhtar gives the readers insight about his early career, struggles he faced during childhood in this autobiography. He points out various flaws in the Pakistan cricket system and provides his views on them. The book provides the journey a humble man from Rawalpindi and how he became the fastest bowler in the world.

#4 KP: The Autobiography-Kevin Pietersen

KP: The Autobiography

Kevin Pietersen is the most prolific batsman and at the same time most egoistic batsmen coming from England. This book is one of the most controversial autobiographies of all time. He made allegations of bullying and mentioned about character assassinations of several former teammates and some players back stabbing tactics. He virtually ended his career with his own hands by going all out and criticizing his then coach Andy Flower, his teammates and Cricket administrators. Every fan of the Charismatic player has to read this book to know interesting stories about England dressing room in the words of KP himself.

#5 A Century Is Not Enough- Sourav Ganguly

A Century Is Not Enough

Dada (means Elder brother in Bengali) of Indian Cricket is responsible for infusing Indian cricket with aggression, intent and developed India into a formidable team under his regime. Sourav Ganguly is often regarded as the best captain India ever had. The book reveals various highs and Lows in his legendary Career. He speaks about his personal life like about he dealt during the death of his father, his Love story. He spoke at great lengths about  fruitful 2003 world cup, Greg Chappell controversy, about difficult times when he was dropped from the Indian team, His comeback Stint and finally about things leading to his impending Retirement.

#6 To the Point- Herschelle Gibbs

To the Point

One of the most talented batsmen to emerge in South Africa, Herschelle Gibbs could not reach his full potential due to his indiscipline. He bought out one of the most honest autobiographies in which he admitted to mistakes he committed without any hesitation. As the name suggests he did not twist and turn things, but produced them bluntly. Readers of a more sensitive disposition may want to steer clear of the plenty explicit stories about sex and drugs that would make even a hardened Hollywood movie buff blush. He never played for South Africa national team after the release of this book as he had criticised many senior players in his book and incurred wrath of cricket board and Former players.

#7 The Test Of My Life: From Cricket To Cancer and Back- Yuvraj Singh

The Test Of My Life: From Cricket To Cancer and Back

Beloved Yuvraj Singh is known for hitting humungous sixes with ultimate ease in the cricket field, but he is also a role model and inspirational figure to many people for another reason than cricket, his journey through cancer. He was diagnosed with cancer during the 2011 world cup, rather than collapsing and succumbing to the deadly disease, he battled through it and played a major role India’s world cup Triumph. He described his experiences he faced during treatment and not giving up. He wanted to inspire and reinforce the belief among fellow cancer patients that cancer is curable and one can get back to normal life after treatment.

#8 Sunny Days- Sunil Gavaskar

Sunny Days

India’s finest opening batsmen and the greatest of his time, Sunil Gavaskar, has been a controversial cricketer on and off the field. He is known to speak his mind out without thinking of the repercussions. The book gives an over view of Little master personal life as well as his cricket career. He narrates some interesting anecdotes about his childhood like – an event during his birth in the hospital where he was almost exchanged with a fisher woman’s child, also how he developed a very effective batting technique during his childhood.

#9 My Illustrated Career-Shane Warne

My Illustrated Career-Shane Warne

Often regarded as one of the best spin bowler to ever grace the game, Shane Warne has had a rather controversial career. He was involved in numerous controversies throughout his illustrious career, which makes his autobiography all the more interesting. In his book Warne details his cricketing journey through various ups and downs and finally reaching the pinnacle before the retirement (As he was the first bowler to take 700 wickets in test history).

#10 True Colors- Adam Gilchrist

True Colors- Adam Gilchrist

Regarded as one of the best Wicket keeper batsmen of all time, Gilchrist has one always been a gentleman on and off the field. But in his Auto biography he unleashed himself as he criticized Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, BCCI openly regarding the Monkey gate Scandal. He Questioned Sachin’s honesty during the trial concerning Monkey gate, which incurred wrath of Indian team and fans.

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It also sheds light on the Golden period of the Australian cricket (Early 2000’s). This Autobiography helps us to understand the Australian Point of view about various controversies and their invincible run as the world beaters.

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