'Cricket World Cup: The Indian Challenge', a book written by veteran journalist Ashis Ray has been very well received by Indian and Australian readers, reports reveal. Ray's work was specially applauded by the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Indian High Commissioner to Australia, Manika Jain.
On Saturday 14 February, the President of India Pranab Mukherjee formally received a copy of the recently released book at a brief ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's House). The presentation was made by Madan Lal, one of the heroes of the Indian side that won the 1983 Cricket World Cup, in the presence of the author. The President commended the author for providing a history of the World Cup from an Indian perspective.
He also thanked Madan Lal for triggering a "turning point" for India in cricket by famously dismissing Vivian Richards, the West Indian master batsman, in the World Cup final at Lord's in 1983.
Mr Mukherjee recalled Indira Gandhi, then India's Prime Minister, phoned him late a night Indian time after India's 1983 victory to share the good news. He was then the Union Finance Minister.
Author Ashis Ray said, "It is a great honour to be granted an audience by the President of India. Therefore, I consider myself fortunate that he did so and formally received a copy of my book. I hope the kind gesture on the part of the President encourages people to read the book and encounter or relive for themselves India's history in the Cricket World Cup."
The Acting High Commissioner of India to Australia, Manika Jain who launched Ashis Ray’s book in Melbourne on Saturday 20 February, congratulated him on writing the book and Bloomsbury for publishing the work. “I have great pleasure in launching this book in Australia,” said Jain.
Bloomsbury Publishing hosted the launch in conjunction with Pitcher Partners and with support from Air India.
About the book:
Cricket World Cup: The Indian Challenge is the most comprehensive offering on the subject; as eminently readable as essential reference. It covers all 10 previous World Cups in detail from an Indian perspective, highlighting the 1983 and 2011 competitions, which India won. The book has a guide chapter to the next World Cup, which started on 14 February 2015.
