Authors: M. N. Viswanath & K. Srinath
Publisher: Astitva Prakashan (2025)
Total Pages: 150
Reviewed By: Neel Preet
Cricket has often been celebrated as a sport of technique, endurance and strategy. However, what separates the greats from the good is not just the physical prowess, but also, the ability to remain mentally strong under pressure. In this remarkable title, “Handbook Of Cricket Psychology” authors M. N. Viswanath andK. Srinath had delved sincerely into an often-overlooked yet crucial dimension of the sport — the mental and psychological aspects of cricket. With a foreword by the most successful Indian spinner in test cricket,Anil Kumble and a motivational message from another legend of the Indian Cricket,G. R. Vishwanath, the book immediately establishes its credibility. Furthermore, both the authors bring invaluable firsthand experience to this work — M. N. Viswanath, a seasoned sports mental conditioning coach and K. Srinath, a former first-class cricketer and international umpire, have combined their expertise to create a comprehensive psychological guide tailored for modern-day cricketers!
Author M. N. Viswanath was a cricketer during his playing days. He is now a certified sports psychology coach and counsellor. He has been helping athletes of different disciplines on the mental side of sports. Besides, he is an author, blogger and podcaster and has authored Sports psychology for aspiring champions. Whereas, author K. Srinath has been a First-Class cricketer, who holds the unique distinction of representing both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. He is also a certified Level B coach from the National Cricket Academy and an umpire on the BCCI panel since 2008. Interestingly, this particular title, “Handbook Of Cricket Psychology” is published by Astitva Prakashan and is released during the period of March 2025. Also, the book is available in both paperback as well as in e-book format and the readers can find this title on all the top online marketplaces.
At a time when mental health concerns in sports are being discussed more openly than ever, this incredible book, “Handbook Of Cricket Psychology” arrives as a timely and necessary resource. It not only acknowledges the psychological pressures of the game but also provides practical tools to help cricketers develop the mental strength required to excel at all levels. Even more, the book is structured in a way that it caters to the cricketers at all levels — from budding young players to international professionals. Besides, the aspiring cricketers will find the chapters on mental conditioning and handling on-field pressure particularly useful, while the seasoned professionals can benefit from the advanced psychological insights into leadership, team dynamics and overcoming setbacks!
On top of that the book is also an invaluable resource for the coaches, mentors and the sports psychologists. Cricket coaching has traditionally focused more on technical and tactical skills, often neglecting the mental conditioning required for sustained success. Now, this is where this title, ‘Handbook Of Cricket Psychology’ fills this critical gap, ensuring that the coaches not only train the players physically but also equip them with the psychological tools needed to thrive under pressure. One of the most significant contributions of this book is its focus on mental health concerns in the Post-COVID era. The pandemic disrupted the sports worldwide, with cricketers struggling with extended bio-bubbles, isolation and mental exhaustion. Many top Indian as well as international players have since opened up about their mental health struggles, shedding light on the importance of mental well-being in the modern sports.
One of the Notable Strengths of this book lies in its ability to redefine cricket not just as a physical sport, but as a mind sport. While batting, bowling, keeping and fielding are traditionally seen as technical skills, the book emphasises that success in cricket is deeply intertwined with the mental resilience, emotional control and the psychological preparedness. The book systematically addresses the mental challenges that the cricketers face, from the pressures of high-stakes matches to the mental fatigue caused by the prolonged tours and the training schedules. It also tackles self-doubt, performance anxiety and the fear of failure, which often cripple even the most talented players. By offering strategies for overcoming mental roadblocks, the book serves as a ready reckoner — a guide that cricketers can turn to whenever they struggle with confidence issues, focus lapses or stress management.
Moreover, the book directly addresses these concerns, providing practical advice on how the players can cope with stress, loneliness, performance pressure and burnout. By acknowledging the emotional toll of the professional cricketers, the authors of this book foster a much-needed conversation about mental wellness in the sports. This makes the book not just a performance-enhancing guide but also an advocacy tool for the cricketers’ mental well-being!
Now, upon reaching the final part of the review, i.e. the Book Verdict, we can conclude that a title like “Handbook Of Cricket Psychology” is for sure a reading worthy title. The book deserves a chance by the readers as it is a movement towards acknowledging and prioritising mental wellness in the game of cricket. Hence, by combining the scientific research, real-world experiences and the expert insights, authors M. N. Viswanath and K. Srinath have crafted a book that is both educational and transformative. It de-stigmatises the mental health conversations in cricket while equipping players with the psychological tools they need to succeed. At a time when mental health awareness is growing in the sports industry, this book paves the way for a new era of mentally resilient cricketers. Whether you are an aspiring cricketer, a seasoned professional or someone deeply invested in the sport, this book is a MUST READ guide for you that will change the way you approach the game.
In addition, this particular title, “Handbook Of Cricket Psychology” stands out as a pioneering work in the field of cricket psychology. While many sports psychology books focus broadly on competitive sports, this is one of the first books dedicated entirely to the mental aspects of cricket. The book’s scientific yet practical approach makes it highly accessible — it is filled with the real-life examples, expert insights and numerous actionable strategies that the players can immediately apply to their game. Unlike, the conventional cricket books that focuses on the playing techniques or in developing the match strategies, this book delves into mental conditioning, visualisation techniques, emotional resilience and self-belief — elements that often make the difference between a good cricketer and a great one!
Book’s Link: https://www.amazon.in/dp/9358388552
