Former India cricketer, VVS Laxman released his autobiography, '281 and Beyond' in Hyderabad
Laxman's autobiography will hit the stores on 19 November 2018
Hyderabad, 15 November 2018: Former India cricketer, VVS Laxman today released his much-awaited autobiography, 281 and Beyond, at Gardenia, Taj Krishna, Hyderabad.
The event was moderated by popular cricket commentator and journalist, Harsha Bhogle and the celebrated cricketerwas in conversation with Venkatapathi Raju, Arshad Ayuband co-writer R.Kaushik.
Published by Westland Publications Pvt. Ltd., the book will release under their new imprint, Westland Sport.
Speaking at the book launch, VVS Laxman said, "This book is something that is very close to me. It was a lot of hard work but I am happy how it has come out and I hope everyone will read and enjoy this. Since my retirement I wanted to share the story of my childhood, especially what goes around in the mind of a seventeen-year-old who needs to choose a career and the challenges that parents face. In the book I have also written about my under 19 days and how it encourages healthy competition and mutual admiration amongst teams.
About the book:
VVS Laxman played over a hundred Tests to aggregate more than 8,000 runs. He was someone who could score against any kind of bowling. Fans still remember with awe his game-changing knock of 281 against Australia in 2001 at Eden Gardens.
But playing for India was never easy. He was dropped as often as he was picked, and despite his vast experience and unimpeachable skill, he never made it to a World Cup team.
All through his playing years, Laxman was known to be a soft-spoken man who kept his distance from controversy. Which is what makes this autobiography truly special. It's candid and reflective, happy and sad by turns, and deeply insightful. He writes of dressing-room meltdowns and champagne evenings, the exhilaration of playing with and against the best in the world, the nuances of batting in different formats and on various pitches, the learnings with John Wright and the rocky times under Greg Chappell.
In 281 and Beyond, Laxman lays bare the ecstasy and the trauma of being one of the chosen XI in a country that is devoted to cricket.
About the authors:
VVS Laxman is a former Indian cricketer and currently a cricket commentator and mentor to the IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad. He received the Arjuna Award in 2002, the Padma Shri in 2011 and was named one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year in 2002. He lives in Hyderabad with his family.
R KAUSHIK has been a cricket writer for over a quarter of a century. Since starting his career with Newstime in Hyderabad, he has worked with Deccan Herald and Wisden India, and has reported on more than 100 Test matches. His association with VVS Laxman dates back to 1990.
About Westland Publications Pvt Ltd:
Founded in 1962, Westland is one of the largest English-language trade publishers in India. Westland's bestselling authors include Chetan Bhagat, Amish Tripathi, Ashwin Sanghi, Devdutt Pattanaik, Ashok Banker, Rujuta Diwekar, Rashmi Bansal, Savi Sharma, Anita and Harsha Bhogle, and Preeti Shenoy, among others. It has recently launched a new imprint 'Context1, which publishes literary fiction and non-fiction by some of the finest Indian writers, graphic novelists and chroniclers of our times. Westland publishes print books, e-books as well as short reads in genres ranging from popular and literary fiction to business, politics, biography, spirituality, health and cookery. Westland was acquired by Amazon in 2017. Westland brings Amazon Publishing's bestselling international books to the Indian market available in over 1000 outlets.
A stylish batsman who could score against any kind of bowling, VVS Laxman played over a hundred Tests to score over 8000 runs. In his autobiography, he opens up about his early cricketing days and playing for Hyderabad. He talks about his friendship and camaraderie with former teammates Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Mohammad Azharuddin, VirenderSehwag, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble, and the special connection he has with Eden Gardens.
The autobiography is candid and reflective, and deeply insightful. Laxman writes of dressing- room meltdowns and champagne evenings, the exhilaration of playing with and against the best in the world, the nuances of batting in different formats and on various pitches, the learnings with John Wright and the rocky times under Greg Chappell.
'281 and Beyond' is now available for pre-order on Amazon.in. The book will be widely available in bookstores across India from 19 November 2018.
