Book review - The State League

 

The State League

Mallika Ravikumar

Penguin Random House, 2026

Genre: Fiction

“Age fraud leads to an erosion of culture. It leads to a scenario where a lot of talented boys don’t get to play when they should actually be playing." Rahul Dravid

Sports is meant to unite people across borders inside a country and across the world but what ails Indian football? Why did FIFA ban India in 2022 and why did India never qualify in football even for the Asian Games in 2026? Why is  gender discrimination practiced in football worldwide, especially in Indian football? Can you think back to when you last heard of a female footballer, let alone one from India? What does it take to manage a football team in India? What does it mean when children are forced to give up on their dreams because of age fraud? How does one combat age fraud in Indian football? What is a bone verification test and why is it used in football? These are some of the questions asked and answered in Ravikumar’s book, “The State League”.

Prithvi is a U15 footballer from Maharashtra. He breathes, eats and lives for football. He plays for Elite Sports F.C.  He studies and lives in the club premises like his team mates. Through Prithvi’s story and his teammates, Ravikumar takes you into the highly politicized world of Indian football most Indians fail to see or learn about.

The narrative travels all over India including Manipur. Football is more popular in north east Indian states than cricket. It covers the violence in Manipur through newspaper reports and how it affects young footballers whose families are hit by it. The author follows a strict show, don’t tell rule of writing by showing how national politics and social media driven narratives affect innocent children who play for football clubs in cities like Mumbai and Delhi far away from their homes despite the odds stacked against them. It shows how social media trials which children are forced to face just because they are from a particular state or city. This story changes from being just a football story into a story about football clubs and the All India Football Federation and the match fixing that runs rampant in it while the clubs are trying to stop it by internal audits. 

Through Prithvi’s friend and female footballer, KD a.k.a. Kadambini, the gender politics in sports especially that of female footballers in India is examines. KD not only faces challenges herself but her character brings humour, sense and practicality to the story. However, Prithvi refers to her as KD.  

For those who are not following the reports about match fixing and age fraud, you might ask what is age fraud. It is basically not giving the correct age so one can compete in age-related competitions. While a bone verification test might help determine the age, what if the samples are changed? I am sure sports medicine experts will have the answer. Age fraud has been running rampant across sports disciplines especially in Indian football and wrestling. It is particularly high in junior tournaments where scrutiny is less and reward is high. This is true more so for the Indian Super League which is to football what the IPL is to  cricket. Newspapers are filled with reports of age fraud in Indian football clubs if one bothers to read about it.  How is betting done in junior tournaments and how is this linked with match fixing?  The story morphs from being a football story for young adults to a political and crime thriller for all.

The writing is crisp and clear. The pace is very good. One never feels bored as the story will resonate not just with Gen Z and Gen A but also with the millions of Indians who stayed up to watch the FIFA world Cup finals between Argentina and Spain.

Indians do love winners when it comes to sports. That is why cricket is so popular. However, football is popular despite India not being a winner in any major tournament in recent memory. Sure, Ronaldo and David Beckham’s visits to India have only increased the football fever among Indians. However, this is the case despite India having millions of football fans now but no Indian football team that plays in any major sport events. This was not the case 70 years ago when Indian football team didn’t have shoes, so what has changed? This book is for all those who love football. Don’t we deserve a football team of our own?

If you wish to buy the book, go here  👉  Amazon

Book Review : On the Way to Shirdi

 

On the way to Shirdi 
by
Archana Jayaseelan
164 pages, Fiction 

What is a pilgrimage to Shirdi like? More importantly, what does a pilgrim's journey entail? These and more questions are asked and answered in  Archana Jayaseelan's book, "On the way to Shirdi."

Sarah from Minsk visits India due to work. However, she misses her return flight. While she books the very next flight and checks out of the hotel, she meets her Indian colleague. This sets  in motion a series of events which leads Sarah to want to visit Shirdi. But does she get there? Does she get a darshan of Sai Baba/ Baba Sai/ Sainath at Shirdi? What happens to this Belarusian woman?

The writing is clear and crisp. 

The author has a twist in the end which readers might not expect. Nothing feels forced as the author gently weaves into the narrative the shift from pilgrimage to the pilgrim's journey along with quotes from the Sai Satcharitra.  

This book changes your perception of pilgrimage in India, or pilgrimage in general. Good book to read. 

You can buy the book here  Amazon

Book review : Choppiness on High Seas by Arvind Wadhera

 

Choppiness on  High Seas
by
Arvind Wadhera
Troubador Publishing, 2025
Genre: Fiction

"For predators of innocence and helplessness, money should not play a role in avoiding disgrace" - Choppiness on High Seas


With ongoing release of Epstein Files, the US-Israel war on Iran, worldwide oil shock, it is almost surreal when you read this book as it has covers all this and more.

Can wealth protect a family from ill health? How can it be in the public interest to invade an individual’s privacy? Is morality just a figure of speech in today's high society? Why do wealthy people spend vast amounts on indulgences but remain parsimonious regarding servants and cleaners? Why did corruption become the new paradigm after decolonization of Africa and Asia? How did US policy change after WW2?  These questions and much more are asked by the author and answered in his book, "Choppiness on High Seas."


The story begins with single mother Gail Stephens who gives birth to Mathew. She is a maid who cleans the houses of wealthy London families but realizes the important of education which she ensures Mathew acquires. Mathew Stephens grows up educated and works where he meets the love of his life Gwen. They marry and have Sally Stephens as Mathew starts building a shipping company right after the second world war. Mathew Stephens becomes a shipping magnate who stays away from the media glare. His success is phenomenal as is his personal tragedy. 

The author's observations are almost prophetic as the book was written in 2025 and it is happening again right now. The comparison to what happened during the Suez Canal crisis and the Strait of Hormuz now, is so alike. Canal closures, submersible explosives, wheeling dealing all over the world. The Epstein files atrocities are very similar to the rape of Asian kids by British Elite. Why does Britain scoff at Europe but bows before the States? The economy was about real things and merchandise. And the world was still run by humans, not robots.

The writing is  crisp and there is no dull moment in the narration. It is moving and inspiring  while it gives people who don't understand geopolitics and politics a ringside view.

This is a must read for all.

Buy the book here   👉Amazon