Hit Wickets & No Balls: A Third Umpire View of POLITRICKS-2 by B N Kumar (BNK) brings together political satire, commentary, analysis, and the questioning instinct of a journalist who has spent five decades observing Indian public life. Using the language and imagery of cricket, the book examines the political “hits,” “misses,” “no-balls,” and self-inflicted setbacks that shape the country’s political landscape. Rather than presenting politics as a contest between one side and another, BNK steps into the role of the proverbial third umpire, watching the game from a critical distance and calling attention to questionable plays wherever they occur.
The book emerges from BNK’s long-running POLITRICKS column series, which uses satire and analysis to examine the political strategies, contradictions, promises, and controversies surrounding leaders and parties across the spectrum. At its core, the book is driven by one fundamental principle: democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires the willingness to ask uncomfortable questions. In a political environment where narratives can often become louder than facts, the author argues for the continued importance of independent journalism that questions both the government and the Opposition with equal rigour.
One of the book’s central observations concerns the tendency of governments to announce policies with considerable enthusiasm, only to later modify, dilute, withdraw, or repackage them. The discussion around GST, demonetisation, Housing for All, and the promise of two crore jobs a year becomes part of the author’s broader examination of political commitments and their consequences. The book does not simply focus on whether a policy succeeds or fails. Instead, it asks readers to consider how political communication, public expectations, implementation, and accountability interact with one another.
At the same time, BNK does not position the Opposition as an unquestioned alternative. The book is equally critical of the difficulties faced by the Opposition in establishing itself as a consistent and credible political force. The INDIA bloc’s performance after the 2024 Lok Sabha election is examined through the lens of inconsistency, internal contradictions, competing ambitions, and disunity. Through his cricket metaphor, the author portrays an Opposition that has sometimes struggled to deliver the political equivalent of decisive yorkers and googlies, instead conceding too many “no-balls.” The satire gives the criticism a lighter tone while retaining its political seriousness.
What makes the approach particularly interesting is the author’s refusal to treat politics as a simple two-team contest. The third umpire perspective allows him to examine both sides of the political field. The ruling party is questioned for its decisions and political narratives, while the Opposition is scrutinised for its shortcomings and failures to provide an effective challenge. This positioning gives the book its distinctive character and reinforces its larger argument that democratic accountability cannot depend on political loyalty.
Another important theme running through Hit Wickets & No Balls is the changing role of journalism. BNK expresses concern about the shrinking space for genuinely independent journalism capable of questioning those in power. In an increasingly partisan media environment, political narratives can sometimes dominate public discussion while inconvenient facts receive less attention. The author returns repeatedly to what he sees as one of journalism’s most important responsibilities: asking questions.
That idea is particularly significant given BNK’s own professional background. His journalism career began during the Emergency era, a period when press freedom and censorship were defining concerns. Over five decades, he has worked across newspapers, magazines, news agencies, public relations, corporate communications, and digital media. His experiences have given him a long view of the relationship between journalism, politics, institutions, and public interest. This background adds context to the perspective he brings to POLITRICKS and its continuation in Hit Wickets & No Balls.
The writing is deliberately satirical, but the humour is used as a tool rather than merely for entertainment. Political satire allows BNK to approach serious subjects through irony, wit, and familiar cultural references. The cricket vocabulary makes complicated political manoeuvring easier to visualise, transforming policies and political strategies into the language of wickets, no-balls, fielding, and umpiring. The metaphor also reinforces the idea that politics is a public game in which citizens have the right to examine the score, question the decisions, and demand accountability from every player.
The book also makes a broader argument about democracy. A strong government and a strong Opposition are presented as equally important components of a functioning democratic system. The government must have the ability to govern effectively, but it must also remain answerable to the public. Meanwhile, the Opposition must be capable of questioning, challenging, and offering credible alternatives. Neither side can fulfil its democratic role if accountability is weakened.
BNK’s extensive experience as a journalist and political analyst gives the book a perspective grounded in long-term observation rather than a single political moment. His career has taken him through major media organisations, public relations, corporate communications, and civic initiatives. He has also contributed to several prominent publications and developed his own news-driven digital platforms. His work with the NatConnect Foundation further reflects his engagement with public issues beyond political commentary.
As a compilation of selected POLITRICKS columns, Hit Wickets & No Balls works best as a collection of observations that encourage readers to look beyond political headlines. It does not attempt to provide a conventional academic analysis of Indian politics. Instead, it combines the freedom of satire with the discipline of journalistic questioning. The result is a book that invites readers to laugh at political theatre while also thinking more seriously about what lies beneath it.
Ultimately, Hit Wickets & No Balls is about more than political mistakes and controversies. It is about the responsibility of watching the game carefully. BNK’s third umpire is not interested in declaring one team the permanent winner. His interest lies in examining the decisions, identifying the fouls, questioning the claims, and reminding readers that democracy works best when nobody is allowed to play without scrutiny.
For readers interested in Indian politics, journalism, public affairs, and political satire, the book offers a distinctive perspective shaped by five decades of professional experience. Its strongest message is perhaps also its simplest: follow the facts, question those in power, read between the headlines, and keep the public interest at the centre of the conversation.
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