Book: No Ball
Author: Chandramohan Puppala
Publisher: Pan Macmillan India
Pages: 000; Price: Rs 399
No matter how massive a cricket fan you are, there is no denying that match-fixing has had a big role in sullying the image of the gentleman’s game over the years. There have been a number of shocking revelations that have come to the fore in the last two decades which have cost the game quite a few of its fans. Through No Ball Chandramohan Puppala takes an in-depth dive into the murky world of match-fixing and corruption in cricket, coming out with the conclusion that while a lot has been revealed, plenty has been brushed under the carpet, perhaps to save the powers that be.
While a number of books have been written on the controversial issue, what works with No Ball is the no-holds-barred approach it takes, which is exactly what is needed considering the issue that is being dealt with. The manner in which the D-connection in betting is established, through enormous breaking down of details, is riveting. I literally felt as if I was present at the place when cops were discussing among themselves whether the voice in an intercepted telephone conversation was indeed that of the most wanted man — Dawood Ibrahim. So powerful is the narrative.
Even as the book takes a look at fixing in the sport over the years, a major portion of coverage is dedicated to the 2013 IPL match-fixing scandal, and understandingly so, as the shock factor when the controversy broke out was enormous. There are intricate details about the unending ways in which bets can be placed — on a ball, on an over, in a session, etc. — as opposed to fixing an entire match. Again, this is something which has been covered in some earlier books. However, it is the inside information of how the bookies and punters operate that makes it worth a read.
The part of the book which really impresses is the analysis of the three cricketers at the centre of the IPL fixing scandal — S. Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan. How the three, from varied backgrounds, found themselves dragged into the muddy world of crime and underworld is stunning and intriguing. Their careers should serve as a lesson to others on how not to go off track.
One understands that while Sreesanth with his eccentric attitude was an easy prey, Chandila killed his conscience for the lure of easy money. One does pity Chavan after reading his chapter as his was a tale of a simpleton gone awry, much like in our stereotyped Bollywood films.
One must compliment the writer for holding back no punches in the book. It wonders how the likes of Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja found their way back into the game, and continue to earn through various means. While not directly blaming BCCI, it does raise pertinent points over the functioning of the Indian cricket board, and the unfair means it utilises to tide over problems. While the significance is understandable, one does feel that the chapter on BCCI could have been cut short. Also, for a book that deals with such an interesting theme, opening with a timeline is a rather underwhelming choice.
All said and done, No Ball is well bowled. And, while the conclusion isn’t optimistic, it is realistic. After all, the seeds of doubt sown in 2000 and replanted in 2013 can never be completely uprooted, and cricket fans will have to live with this reality.