First, although the novel revolves around the game of cricket, (and the title refers to the professional cricket draft in India), no knowledge of cricket is required to enjoy this deeply insightful study of two teenaged brothers who have been groomed by their father to be stars of the game. Author Adiga's mpve; has a lot to say about the nature of family, sports culture and abusive sports parents. Recommended.

I know very little about cricket, but I still enjoyed this book: exploitation of young athletes, and parents obsessed with molding their children, know no borders. I thought this was less impressive than The White Tiger but still very good.

I'm fortunate that when I first picked up the book and saw the word "cricket" on the dust jacket I knew I had to read the book as I grew up in a cricketing nation and have traveled in India a couple of times. Cricket is the pillar around which complex relationships occur showing many of the class, financial, & lifestyle struggles in modern India. The author created vivid images in my mind as I read the novel but at the same time I was wondering how many Americans wouldn't get into a book featuring a sport they don't understand. This novel might just be a good excuse to learn about the sport and delve into the very believable lives of the characters.

The complexities and challenges of life in modern-day Mumbai and India are revealed through up-and-coming cricket players and the father, coach, scout, investor and lovers that play a part in their story. Rich characters, perspectives, locations and language, much as you'd expect from a Booker-prize winner. However as a North American reader I was at a disadvantage. It's necessary to know some basic cricket right from the beginning (watched youtube) and some Indian geography (I google mapped as I read). Overall a great read about a country I know far too little about.