STEVE WAUGH .......(the spirit of Indian cricket 🏏).. 🥰🏏🔥

This is a book created by Steve Waugh AO, former Australian

Cricket Captain – about his passion for India, photography and

of course cricket. It’s been a labour of love which has taken him

eighteen months. The first edition, a large format photo book,

The Spirit of Cricket – India will be released on November 1.

Steve’s first visit to India was in 1986, as a member of the touring

Australian Cricket Team. He recalled being overwhelmed by the

absolute and complete bombardment of his senses. From the

secluded comfort of the team bus he witnessed through the

window the constant stream of unfolding scenarios, as if he was

in a movie back lot full of different plots, actors and colour filled

backdrops.

He craved to get out on the streets and laneways, meet the locals

and see how they interacted with each other and photograph

their fascinating daily activities.

However with fame and adulation it wasn’t realistic to stop the

team bus, alight and endeavour to capture all the unfolding

scenarios that were in front of him.

That’s where the concept of The Spirit of Cricket originated

from. It was a passionate desire to get out amongst the people

of India, to finally capture all the emotion and splendour through

the lens of his trusty CANON camera....In January 2020, Steve travelled through India again, over 18

days, meeting many new and old friends. He spent time in

the Maidans in Mumbai, and the backstreets of Kolkata and

Jodhpur, and stopped regularly to enjoy the local roadside

matches along the way. He also trekked out in the desert in

Rajasthan to discover a game of cricket, and into the foothills of

the Himalayas to meet a team of cricketing monks.

Steve toured a bat and ball Factory, played cricket with kids

by the river, and was clean bowled on the beach at Juhu. He

met blind and physically challenged cricketers who totally

inspired him, and visited the first Women’s Cricket Academy in

Dharamshala. He found the opportunity to meet the oldest and

the very youngest of players, and play cricket with a Maharajah

in his classical Palace ballroom.

On this book, Steve said “I have chosen 220 photographs from

the tens of thousands I captured, and now, with this new book,

proudly share and celebrate my collection with you. I hope I have

done the people of India justice with the showcased images,

and my quest to capture the very essence and “spirit” of the

game and the passion of the people who love it.             ”“Attitude, energy, enthusiasm and imagination,

that’s all you need besides a bat an ball.”.          “Imagination can

inspire the champions

       

of tomorrow.”