And now, finally, criclit

The Men Within: A Cricketing Tale
Harimohan Paruvu
Indialog
270 pages
Rs225

Hari Paruvu’s The Men Within is an unusual foray into the cricket-fiction genre.

Paruvu played in the Ranji Trophy-winning Hyderabad cricket team. It’s understandable that his description of Ghanapur has echoes of Hyderabad in it and the portrayal of Golconda Public School could well fit the prestigious Hyderabad Public School.
 
These likenesses  only add to the charm of the story, told from the heart by a cricket lover. But this is not a tale confined to runs, wickets, sixes and fours alone.

Rather, it focuses on how discipline, learning to be part of a team, being aware of weaknesses but focussing on strengths, and enjoying the task at hand and wanting to win but not at all costs — all taken together help build character.

Sampath, the protagonist, is going through a divorce settlement and sinking into alcoholism. He is also an alumnus of the Golconda Public School.

Vishwanath Sharma is an old teacher and the new principal of the school whose glorious cricketing heritage has been ground to dust over the years.

A section of the Board of Trustees wants to convert the large area of real estate that formed the school’s cricket ground into a coaching centre and a college.

Sharma buys time and turns to his old student, Sampath, the then captain who conceded the Inter-School Trophy to end the school’s 14-year run at the top.

The school had never reached the final since then and Vishwanath was taking a big gamble by giving Sampath a lifeline he is initially reluctant to grab.

But once Sampath makes up his mind he goes about making changes that not only help mould the cricketing careers of a bunch of also-rans but also inject a sense of purpose in their lives.

How the low-profile coach finds redemption through his pupils’ performances is a touching tale.

How he initially manages to win over the boys in spite of remaining a tough task-master is something Greg Chappell could have learnt from. 

This novel is a simple joyride that most readers can relate to, especially those who at one point in their lives spent all their energies in playing a simple game.