Elephant in the Stadium

(Shortlisted for the Sunday Times Sports Book Awards 2023)

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Pub Date 1 Sep 2022 | Archive Date 6 Jun 2022

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Description

India's first Test series win in England in 1971 was epic and magical, with a resonance far beyond the scorecards. The cricket was riveting, with twists and turns right up to the last ball, and the excitement was garnished by a baby elephant parading the outfield of The Oval on the final day. The victory had immense significance for a country that had gained independence from Britain less than 25 years earlier and was tottering on the brink of a history-defining war.

In the background were the British illusions of moral and cultural superiority even as decolonisation went through its final phase. The Indians often accepted these illusions as they struggled for the most basic necessities of life, battling against poverty, malnutrition and illiteracy. Thus, the victory provided a major equaliser for the national psyche.

Elephant in the Stadium examines the many reasons for the myth and magic that still surround the triumph, including the complex historical relationship between Britain and India.

About the author

Arunabha Sengupta is a cricket historian, analyst and writer for numerous cricket publications. He grew up in India, lives in the Netherlands and has covered Indian cricket tours in England, bringing a unique perspective to the subject matter. His previous cricket books include Sachin and Azhar at Cape Town (co-author), Apartheid: A Point to Cover and the cricket-based historical mystery novel Sherlock Holmes and the Birth of the Ashes.

India's first Test series win in England in 1971 was epic and magical, with a resonance far beyond the scorecards. The cricket was riveting, with twists and turns right up to the last ball, and the...


Advance Praise

"A ground-breaking book and story brilliantly told." Mihir Bose

"A ground-breaking book and story brilliantly told." Mihir Bose


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781801500944
PRICE US$26.95 (USD)
PAGES 272

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