'A wonderful memoir . . . richly insightful, and deeply moving' - Ramachandra Guha
Eminent journalist Pradeep Magazine's memoir is a story of lived, real experiences, of joy, sorrow, fear, loss and hope, and about how an uprooted identity shapes one's attitude towards society and the nation. From the Kashmir of the 1950s to terror-stricken Punjab, from the Mandir-Masjid divide and the impact of Mandal politics to the tragic consequences of the Kashmir situation-Magazine paints a fascinating portrait of modern India.
At the core of the book are accounts of some of the most epochal events in India's cricketing history, woven around personal encounters with several well-known cricketers. The author lays bare the vicious machinations that are a staple diet of sports governance and reveals hitherto unknown facts about the frictions and ego clashes that are inevitable in a game that dominates India's sporting discourse.
Whether it is cricket that you're keen on, or India's troubled history, Not Just Cricket is a must-read.
'A reporter's distinctive life experience that is frank and perceptive'-Rajdeep Sardesai, Biblio
'I can't think of a book I have read recently that I have enjoyed more than Not Just Cricket. This is a fascinating and insightful read.'-Vir Sanghvi
'It's delightful ... It's about India. The author. Life. A wonderful read.'-Pritish Nandy
'It helps the reader understand a nation's churn with Magazine offering insights.'-K.C. Vijaya Kumar, The Hindu
'It is a constant reminder of the wonder that is cricket, and life itself.'-Rahul Puri, The Tribune
'It captures epochal moments in sport and effortlessly juxtaposes it with the socio-political upheavals of the time.'-Indraneel Das, The New Indian Express
'The lucid prose as well as intricate descriptions of Kashmir keeps readers engrossed.'-Indranil Majumdar, The Telegraph
'Rare commitment, honesty and understatement.'-Nirupama Dutt, Hindustan Times
'Magazine's role as a reporter and upsetter of apple carts make the cricket sections come alive.'-Suresh Menon, Sportstar
'Best insight so far in the form of a book about the politics that runs and dominates Indian cricket.'-Shabir Hussain, Gulf News
'Quirky anecdotes...startling revelations.'-Sushmita Bose, Khaleej Times
