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After Biography On Rohit Sharma, Rourkela Boy Plans To Meet The Sports Star Soon
A teenager writing biography of a sports star he never met – ever heard of such a unique story before? Well, 17-year-old Abhinav Lall has turned this seemingly impossible feat into reality. The Rourkela boy has written biography on cricketer Rohit Sharma, ahead of the Asia Cup Cricket Championship at Abu Dhabi where the explosive batsman will be leading the national cricket team. However, Abhinav hasn’t even talked on phone with the cricketer! The book titled ‘Rohit Man of Master class 2.0’ was released on August 29 on the occasion of National Sports Day at Rourkela. Sharma had also tweeted about the book, praising the work of the young lad.
When asked why he chose Rohit Sharma for the biography, Abhinav says, “Rohit Sharma has been the most criticised cricketer. On many occasions, he was written off. But he always proved his detractors wrong by making a successful comeback. He is a fighter in the true sense of the term. It’s that quality of his which inspired me to write his biography.”
But, wasn’t it difficult to write a book about a person he never met or spoke to? “Yes, I have not met him. When I decided to write the book, I contacted his manager Aneesh Gautam through Instagram. He was positive in his response and asked me to send a few pages of the manuscript. He approved it and told me to go ahead. I remained in constant touch with Aneesh Gautam for information regarding Rohit Sharma. Later I did talk to Rohit’s brother Vishal Sharma. But for larger part of my research, I took the help of YouTube. Instead of reading newspaper articles and interviews of Rohit Sharma, I saw 60 to 70 interviews on YouTube. In my book, I have quoted him from interviews on You Tube which I believe are more authentic,” explains the young boy.
Abhinav has had a keen interest in writing and debating from his school days. His father Pankaj Kumar Lall, who runs a small plastic moulding unit, tells MCL, “Abhinav has been inclined towards writing from his early days. He has been participating in essay writing competitions sincethe third grade and has won scores of prizes. I noticed his interest in writing and encouraged him. When he told me about his wish to write a book, I assured all help to him. After his tenth board exams were over by March end, he decided to move to Kolkata for the book. He thought he would be more focused on writing at Kolkata instead of Rourkela since it was easier for him to remain in constant touch with the publisher as well.”
The work on the book began in April and by July, he had finished his 100-page book. The elated lad is hoping to meet his idol Rohit Sharma in the near future to give him a copy of the book. “I had planned to meet Rohit before he left for the Asia Cup. But it did not materialise due to his heavy engagements. I am optimistic to meet him now after his return,” says Abhinav.
So, is he also inclined towards sports, cricket in particular, we ask. “Not really. I play cricket at school and the club level. But I want to be a journalist in future,” he replies. He is yet to think of his next project. “First, I wish to meet Rohit Sharma. I will plan my next project later,” concludes Abhinav.