Plucky 13 | Cricket Web
For decades, the story of domestic first-class cricket outside of England has remained largely untold in the English-speaking world. While histories of the County Championship abound, detailed accounts of competitions like India’s Ranji Trophy have been scarce – until now. A new book, Plucky 13, is beginning to fill that void, offering a focused look at the teams that have shaped Indian first-class cricket.
A Focus on Champions
Plucky 13 doesn’t attempt a comprehensive history of the Ranji Trophy, which began with the recognition of its namesake, Ranjitsinhji. Instead, the book centers on the thirteen teams that have won the trophy more than once. Each team receives its own essay, penned by a different writer, and edited by Gulu Ezekiel and Sachin Bajaj. This approach, according to a recent review, avoids the potential for repetitive writing that a single author might produce.
Bombay/Mumbai’s Dominance
The task of chronicling the achievements of Bombay/Mumbai proved particularly challenging for author Hemant Kenkre, given the team’s remarkable 42 championship wins. This contrasts sharply with other teams, with Karnataka being covered in eight chapters by Anand Vasu, and Maharashtra receiving just two, allowing Ezekiel and Kirti Patil more room for narrative storytelling.
Beyond the Scoresheet
The book offers more than just a recitation of results. Readers will encounter players previously unknown to them, and gain new insights into the careers of familiar cricketing stars. The inclusion of a curated selection of photographs further enhances the reading experience. A particularly enjoyable addition, according to one reviewer, is each author’s selection of an all-time eleven representing their chosen team.
Constructing Dream Teams
Inspired by this feature, one reviewer even attempted to assemble their own all-time eleven for Bengal, selecting Pankaj Roy, Gopal Bose, Sourav Ganguly, Arun Lal, Ambar Roy, Shyam Sundar Mitra, Wriddhiman Saha, Subhash Gupte, Mohammad Shami, Saradindu Mukherjee, and Dilip Doshi, with Chuni Goswami as twelfth man. Further exploration led to the creation of a competitive eleven comprised of teams that have only won the trophy once, led by Kapil Dev and including players like Ajay Jadeja and Ravindra Jadeja.
The reviewer also pondered the possibility of assembling a team from those sides that have never lifted the trophy, a challenge left to Indian cricket enthusiasts.
Looking Ahead
The book’s appeal is naturally strongest for those already invested in the Ranji Trophy. However, if its popularity mirrors that of the County Championship in England, Plucky 13 is poised for success and is likely to satisfy its readership. A full history of the Ranji Trophy could follow, building on the foundation laid by this collection of team profiles. Further books focusing on other domestic first-class competitions around the world may also emerge, inspired by this effort to document cricket beyond the international stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of the book Plucky 13?
The book focuses on the thirteen teams that have won the Ranji Trophy more than once, with each team being the subject of a separate essay.
Who edited Plucky 13?
The book was edited by Gulu Ezekiel and Sachin Bajaj.
What was particularly challenging for one of the authors?
Hemant Kenkre faced the challenge of documenting the 42 Ranji Trophy wins achieved by Bombay/Mumbai.
Given the renewed attention on India’s domestic cricket structure, what other untold stories from the world of first-class cricket do you hope to see explored?