A Corner of a Foreign Field: The Indian History of a British Sport is a 2002 book by Indian historian Ramachandra Guha that offers a historical account of cricket in the Indian subcontinent.[1] Some critics have called it one of the finest books on cricket.[2][3]
Background
The book was initially conceived as a biography of left-arm spinner Palwankar Baloo. Baloo was a Dalit, a community that has historically been subjected to untouchability under the Indian caste system. His cricketing feats, however, enabled him to overcome contemporary Indian social barriers associated with being a Dalit.[4] As Guha explored Baloo's story further, the book expanded to become a social history of cricket in India.[5] On the subject of the book, Guha has written, "The making of modern India is its theme, with cricket serving merely as a vehicle, as my chief source of illustrative example."[4]
Editions
An early edition cover featured a picture of author R.K. Narayan playing cricket with his nephews and niece.[6][7]
^Satyan, T.S. "Walking with R.K. Narayan". Frontline. Vol. 19, no. 14 (July 06–19, 2002 ed.). Archived from the original on 18 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022. I photographed him at work, with members of his family, listening to his daughter - Hema playing on the veena and more important - playing cricket with his nephews Thumbi and Nokki and niece Shanta.
