An Autobiographical XI: Test XI of cricketers who wrote autobiographies

Middle Order:

Ricky Ponting

'Ponting: At the close of play' gives us a look into the playing days of Ricky Ponting

M: 168 Inn: 287 Runs: 13378 Avg: 51.85 Best: 257 50/100: 62/41

Ponting, captain of this side, comfortably walks into the team at number three as his major competitors Rahul Dravid and Brian Lara have both not written autobiographies. Carrying forward the legacy of Allan Border and Steve Waugh, Punter became the flag-bearer of an all-conquering Australian team, leading from front with bat in hand and banter in his mouth.

‘Ponting: At the close of play’ which came out in 2013, is the Australian legend’s account of his playing days and where he saw cricket was headed towards, with a close reference to Australian cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar

Tendulkar has been conferred as someone to have a larger than the sport image by his fans

M: 200 Inn: 329 Runs: 15921 Avg: 53.78 Best: 248* 50/100: 68/51

If there had to be one player who would have walked into any Test XI, it had to be the ‘Little Master’ from India- Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. Having written and rewritten the record books multiple times, there was hardly anything left for Sachin the batsman to achieve on the cricket field; the hundredth hundred further underscoring his might in world cricket.

‘Playing it my way’, written by Sachin in collaboration with famous sports journalist Boria Majumdar, gives his fans (read devotees) a look into the celebrated career and an opportunity to read personal anecdotes of their hero (read God). Just his name on it’s cover makes the book holy and pious for the Indian cricket fan.

AB de Villiers

A B de Villiers is a Superman in the cricket field

M: 110 Inn: 183 Runs: 8338 Avg: 49.92 Best: 278* 50/100: 42/21

Amidst all the pyrotechnics and innovation, comes the story of a true sportsman, one who was good enough to professionally play rugby, tennis and cricket, by Mr. 360 in his own words. Arguably one of the finest and complete batsman in the modern era, Abraham Benjamin de Villiers is someone who plays to entertain crowds and one who is emotionally attached to the game which gives him a chance to make his country proud.

‘A B de Villiers- The Autobiography’ which came out in 2016, prior to his Test sabbatical, throws light on how the patriot in him keeps him going and how he manages his personal life amid all the superstardom.