Inspiring Lives Beyond Cricket
Books about Indian sports women and men have a special place on every reader’s shelf. Beyond cricket, India has produced champions in boxing, athletics, tennis, shooting, and badminton whose journeys often don’t get the limelight they deserve.
This list brings together biographies and autobiographies that capture grit, ambition, and triumph. Each book shines a light on players who have changed the face of Indian sports.
Books about Indian sports icons (not cricketers) to add to your reading list
This biography shares the extraordinary story of Neeraj Chopra, who fulfilled a century-long dream by winning India’s first Olympic gold in athletics at Tokyo 2020. Beginning in a small village in Panipat, his rise is a tale of persistence, discipline, and raw talent. Readers follow his struggles with limited facilities, his training in Panchkula, and his move into the national camp. The book also shows how he became the face of hope for Indian athletics, inspiring an entire generation with his smile and success.
In Unbreakable, boxing legend Mary Kom tells her story with rare honesty. Growing up in a farming family in Manipur, she defied expectations to become a six-time world champion and an Olympic medalist. The book blends her personal life with her professional journey—covering her marriage, motherhood, and relentless training. What makes it powerful is the frankness about her struggles and setbacks. More than a sports memoir, it doubles as a handbook on resilience for women breaking barriers in male-dominated arenas.
One of India’s most iconic tennis players, Sania Mirza, narrates her journey in this book. Bursting onto the international stage as a teenager, she went on to become a six-time Grand Slam winner and a doubles powerhouse. The book dives into her early career, her highs and lows on court, and her record-breaking partnership with Martina Hingis. Written with candour, Sania reflects on injuries, public scrutiny, and the pressure of being India’s top tennis star. It’s a refreshing, heartfelt account of how she beat the odds to carve her place in the world of global tennis.
Legendary sprinter Milkha Singh’s autobiography is as fast-paced as his races. From surviving Partition to becoming the “Flying Sikh,” Milkha’s journey is the stuff of Indian sporting folklore. He recounts his troubled youth, the discipline he found in the army, and the sheer determination that led him to win India’s first Commonwealth gold in athletics. The book doesn’t shy away from his Olympic heartbreak but instead turns it into a lesson in grit. It’s a gripping read about resilience, ambition, and the making of a national hero.
This authorised biography of badminton star Pullela Gopi Chand is about more than victories. It chronicles his landmark All England Championship win in 2001, his battle with injuries, and his eventual role as India’s most celebrated badminton coach. Gopi’s determination to keep Indian badminton alive after setbacks shines through every page. The book also captures his philosophy of discipline and integrity, and his efforts at his academy to mentor stars like Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu. It’s both a tribute to his playing days and his contribution as a mentor.
Abhinav Bindra’s autobiography is a meticulous, introspective account of his pursuit of excellence in shooting. It traces his heartbreaking near-miss at Athens 2004 and his relentless reinvention that led to Olympic gold in Beijing 2008—the first for an Indian individual shooter. The revised edition also covers his Rio 2016 performance and personal battles with epilepsy, adding depth to his journey. Co-written with sportswriter Rohit Brijnath, the book offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a perfectionist obsessed with pushing boundaries.
Why You Should Read These Books
✓ For insights beyond statistics and medals.
✓ Be inspired by stories of struggle, resilience, and self-belief.
✓ For sports enthusiasts, young dreamers, and anyone who enjoys tales of human spirit.
✓ Discover a spark of inspiration for your own journey.
