Life in the Sunshine: Autobiography of an Unknown Cricketer

Sathish (the protagonist, not the author), and his friends Tribhuvan and Sampath are crazy about the game of cricket. They grow up watching and feeling the highs and lows of the Indian cricket team in the nostalgic '80s and '90s. Like every other Indian kid even today, the 'Triple Sundae Gang' tries their hand at the sport that they love. The story is all about where this pursuit of theirs takes them and Abdul the Ghost, in life when reality rears its ugly face. The book also has dedicated sections wherein the characters present their satirical and often humorous take on iconic cricket matches, while also attempting to answer some questions that have haunted fans of the sport over the years. Join the gang as they navigate through the tricky waters of love and life in the shadow of the sport's omnipresence.

The book has intriguing and unique viewpoints and commentary of sorts about the sport of cricket, and life. It manages to successfully celebrate the true essence of cricket and the unfathomable impacts on our lives that it sometimes has. The profound sense of humor sprinkled generously across the uncomplicated narration means that there is never a dull moment. Personally, the lingo used was endearing. The element of romance that the reader first encounters about halfway through the book, adds another dimension to the storyline, hence accentuating it. Abdul the Ghost is a commendable creation with whom you end up having a love-hate relationship. 

The book captures the lives and various struggles of "unknown cricketers" who deserve to be the true face of the game they love with all their heart, but increasingly end up uncelebrated, and in obscurity. The book offers a glimpse into the personalities of the numerous crazed cricket fans who can be found across the length and breadth of India, and several parts of the world. The debut author, T. Sathish's love and passion for the game clearly shines through his writing, and offers readers a memorable, if the brief experience of 'living in the sunshine of a sport they love. The book is a simple account of the writer adopting cricket as his religion, like several others before, and after him.

"Life is a Test match played on a sporting wicket. There is something in it for all types of players provided you are ready to work hard" is one among several quotes from the book that have stayed with me.