Westland Sports, an imprint of Westland Books, announces the release of ‘Pitchside: My Life in Indian Cricket’ by long-term cricket administrator Amrit Mathur. In the book, Mr Mathur brings alive insightful first-person accounts of some of Indian Cricket’s most memorable moments. Anecdotes, events and matches are described from the perspective of an insider who has seen the game and the players up close for over three decades. The book is available in all major bookstores and online platforms from 17 July 2023 onward.
An experienced cricket administrator, Mr Mathur was the manager of the India team on the historic tour of South Africa in 1992. Later, he was part of PILCOM, the organising committee for the 1996 Cricket World Cup, also Chief Operating Officer of the Delhi Daredevils and General Manager of BCCI.
Mr Mathur’s “Pitchside: My Life in Cricket” provides readers with a rare glimpse of the inner functioning of the team, where he relates interesting conversations, dressing room atmosphere, team meeting discussions, and on and off-the-pitch details of iconic moments. Starting from the 1992 Friendship Tour in South Africa to the NatWest Series win in England in 2002, ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 in South Africa, the India tour of Pakistan in 2004 to the inception of the Indian Premier League in 2008.
Speaking about the book Mr Amrit Mathur says, “Cricket has been a major part of my life and in Pitchside I look at events, matches and the many players and people who enriched my cricket journey.”
“Amrit has been a part of Indian cricket as a participant and an observer and his book takes the reader close to the game, the dugout, the BCCI and all the IPL .Pitchside is full of wonderful stories, anecdotes, and insights; I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun editing a book,” added Karthika V.K, Publisher, Westland Books
About the Book
In 1992, when BCCI President Madhavrao Scindia handpicked Amrit Mathur as manager of the Indian team on the historic tour of South Africa, he became one of the youngest to hold that position. In the three decades that followed, Mathur transformed into a seasoned cricket administrator working closely with BCCI presidents and state cricket associations. He was involved with shaping the initial plans for the IPL and held a key position with the Delhi Daredevils.
On the many tours and cricket seasons in India and abroad, Mathur kept a diary and detailed notes on the day’s play, as well as of conversations and events off the pitch. He builds on these to show us what happened behind the scenes, allowing us to experience the excitement of play on the ground, as well as dressing-room conversations, team meetings and discussions.
An intimate, insightful, authentic account of some of Indian cricket’s most memorable moments, Pitchside is replete with compelling storytelling and delightful trivia. It evokes nostalgia and laughter, and curiosity about all that has been and all that may be.
Praise for the book
‘Amrit is a real all-rounder as an administrator. He brings that flair to his writing about his experiences in this must-read book.’ – Sunil Gavaskar
‘In his three decades as a top executive on the front lines of cricket, Amrit Mathur has been a key figure in some of the game’s most iconic moments. This first-hand account gives the reader a rare glimpse into the cloistered yet public world of elite cricket in a detailed and accessible manner. Enjoyable reading for every cricket fan!’ – Shashi Tharoor
‘A behind-the-scenes account of some of India’s most memorable tours, and an insightful take on IPL. Amrit showed me a side of Indian cricket that I hadn’t seen before.’ – Mithali Raj
About the author
Amrit Mathur was the Manager of the Indian team that toured South Africa in 1992. Four years later, he was part of PILCOM, the organising committee for the 1996 Cricket World Cup, which was conducted across India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Later, he became Chief Operating Officer of the Delhi Daredevils and General Manager of BCCI. He also held administrative positions in the state associations of Railways, UP, MP, Delhi and Uttarakhand.
Amrit was Secretary, of the Sports Authority of India, and Advisor, of the Ministry of Sports and was instrumental in conceptualising and executing TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme), India’s flagship programme for supporting elite athletes. Currently, he is an Advisor at the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports. His column, Straight Drive, appears in the Hindustan Times.
