6 reviews for Yuvi
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Yuvi
by Makarand Waingankar
Description:
No Indian player has captured the imagination of cricket-lovers in the way that Yuvraj Singh has over the past decade. Fiery batsman, deceptive bowler, flat-out fielder, Yuvraj has been in the news for his remarkable skills with bat and ball, his glamorous lifestyle off the ground and, more recently, for his courageous battle against a life-threatening illness. In this first-ever account of its kind, veteran cricket administrator and coach Makarand Waingankar, who has known Yuvraj practically since the day he was born, recalls the rise of the young cricketer, his early years, the tremendous highs and depressing lows in his tumultuous career. With inputs from Yuvraj’s parents, his friends, peers and senior players, and written with a rare insight and affection for his subject, this is an eminently readable account of a young cricketer’s life, from the earliest days to his triumphant crowning as the World Cup champion in 2011.
About The Author
Makarand Waingankar is an ex-cricket administrator and cricket columnist based in Mumbai, India. He was the CEO of the Baroda Cricket Association and served in various positions with other BCCI organs. As consultant to the Karnataka State Cricket Association in 2001, he set up a Talent Resource Development Wing (TRDW) to spot talent in rural districts in Karnataka, away from the established urban centre of Bangalore. This initiative was successful, and was replicated nationwide by the BCCI in 2002, when Jagmohan Dalmiya was President. The TRDW Chairman was ex-India test captain Dilip Vengsarkar, assisted by Brijesh Patel. The TRDW helped discover many successful players, including present India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, RP Singh, VRV Singh, and others.
Waingankar was contracted to set up a TRDW for the Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2009, the second IPL season, to spot talent nationwide. However after doing the initial groundwork, he resigned from his position due to strong disagreements with the controversial then KKR coach, John Buchanan, over team selection and John’s “multiple captains” theory.
Waingankar also works closely with Dilip Vengsarkar and helped establish the Elf-Vengsarkar Cricket Academy in Mumbai. In the late 80s, Bombay’s Ranji Trophy team was very strong in batting, but lacked in the bowling department. To counter this, Waingankar played a pivotal role in setting up the BCA-Mafatlal Bowling Scheme in 1990, in which budding bowlers were trained by renowned English fast bowler Frank Tyson. Abey Kuruvilla, Paras Mhambrey, Sairaj Bahutule, Salil Ankola and Nilesh Kulkarni are some of the bowlers who emerged from the academy, many of whom became regular India players through the 1990s.
Skryf Review
“Excellent Book”
Sejal
I picked up this book to kick start my habit of reading non fiction for this year. And what better choice than Yuvi’s tryst with cancer. I was assuming the book would be about cancer in entirety – but it spanned from his childhood right to the diagnosis, treatment and come back. Two things stayed with me – a) Greatness does not come with comforts, but with great discipline and pain b) When you did not question God for the good things ‘Why me?’, why should we question the same in dark times? The narration is personal in tone, and i finished the book one shot. Nnot being a cricket fan, finishing it in one go was possible only because of the content. The denial towards cancer is real, and yuvi does not hide it from his readers. Being a big and famous cricketer in India – it’s not easy to be so forthcoming about one’s life. Fan for life.
Ira
There’ll be three kinds of readers of this book. Cricket fans, cancer survivors/patients, and those who love reading memoirs. It’s a sincere book – honest and heartfelt, and while the editing may be sloppy and lenient, it didn’t bother too much because it felt like it was Yuvi indeed who was talking. And one would expect a cricketer to narrate his story in simple words, without trying to impress me with wordplay.The book did strike an emotional cord with me. Yuvi, after all, is a cricketer of my generation (as is Sachin, Sourav, Rahul…) and if, like me, you’ve enjoyed and cheered for him every time his match-winning knocks steered India to victory, then you’ll like hearing this story. The repetitive detailing of his chemo sessions got a bit boring at times, but I can imagine several readers (who’ve seen or been with people experiencing chemotherapy) nodding their heads as they flip through those pages. The Test of My Life is meant to inspire, help us battle all the odds, and that’s something it does handsomely. Most importantly, it helps us get a peek into the mind of a cricketer in his own words, without any adulteration from the press.
pankti
No doubt “if you can we can” by Yuvraj Singh. An inspirational story has been written by this Punjabi guy who has scribbled his journey from Kid to a cancer patient survivor and again back to his passion i.e. Cricket. In his debut book, Yuvraj is able to knock our mind and make us to think ” If we are passionate, can’t we face the challenges, which are thrown to our way.” A perfect story and must read story. Hats of this guy who didn’t give up till end and made his way to his game. Full marks.
Anmol
The way Yuvi’s father trained him and the dedication and vigour showed up by him will make you weep and sob like a maniac.His contribution and sincerity was an untold story ,even I felt some part of his life was missed as its a memoir written up to provoke inspiration for fighters and survivors .Very candid attempt from the side of Yuvraj Singh .even he dint feel embarrassed to say about the phase he went through about thinking on sperm banking and stuff ,he just want the world to know his pain and know them to get boosted up .His night before the World Cup and the way he reacted to it was a complete classy one ,he did not stop himself for falling for the trap called cancer ,he proved his mental strength in a field where physical strength is equally needed. His equation with his mother was so pure ,and the hope she had on her gurji is absolutely stunning .even I got goosebumps when I came to learn up that the bat was granted to Yuvi from the blessing of thousands of people .it was a biggest twist in the tale .loved it to bits and pieces ,the best autobiography ever written .
Vishvesh
Never read such genuine description. Initially it excited me, then it showed the depressing side of sports and ended with the battle with Cancer. In the end I was wondering if Yuvi had been a normal person would such turnaround in small time be possible. When I see Yuvi’s batting in T20 today, I am reminded of all the fights he battled and his comeback. My Grandfather had cancer and he couldn’t make it. I wish he had survived the intense pain and radiation sessions. I actually ended up a bit depressed but life is tough. you get to listen to such things bit often. A tale of courage and determination. Simply.