Roger Binny, V.V.S. Laxman launch M.V. Narasimha Rao’s biography

It was a night to recollect for former India cricketer, M.V. Narasimha Rao, popularly often called ‘Bobjee’ within the cricketing circles when a number of the large names of the sport and well-wishers gathered for the formal launch of his autobiography ‘Bobby India and Ireland – A Love Story’ penned by journalist Conor Sharkey, at Secunderabad Club on Sunday evening.

Cricketing nice V.V.S. Laxman, who’s now chairman of NCA (Bengaluru), BCCI president Roger Binny, Hyderabad City Police Commissioner and himself a former Hyderabad cricketer C.V. Anand, Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary to Telangana State Government, IT, have been amongst these current on the event.

Former Indian cricketer and the Ranji Trophy-winning Hyderabad workforce captain from 1987 MV Narasimha Rao’s biography ‘Bobby India and Ireland… A Love Story was released amid former Indian and Hyderabad cricketers in Hyderabad on Saturday.

Bobjee, who also led Hyderabad to Ranji Trophy triumph in 1987, thanked his teammates and coaches for imbibing the fighting qualities.

“We played the game with passion and enjoyed every moment. This book is an attempt to serve as a gentle reminder of the glory days of not just my career like my journey to the Indian team and my stint in Ireland where I am settled now but also of Hyderabad cricket and the contribution of stalwarts who were all responsible for that,” he explained.

“Cricket has been a huge part of my life. I have played along with some big names. I am grateful to all the people who played a key role in my life,” Bobjee said.

For his part, Laxman recalled that he first met Bobjee in 1987 after Hyderabad’s Ranji victory. “He helped me a lot in improving my game and I always have high regard for his commitment, passion and sincerity,” he added.

“We all looked up to him. It was a great team to emulate. Settling in a new country is not easy. I was amazed by the love and respect he commands in Ireland. Even Eoin Morgan (Ireland and England team captain) mention’s Bobby’s influence on him as a growing cricketer. That speaks volumes,” Laxman mentioned.

Roger Binny mentioned that Bobjee was one of many best cricketers from Hyderabad. “He was a rock star in his playing days both on and off the field,” he mentioned.

CV Anand, Roger and Jayesh Ranjan felt that the ebook will encourage many children.

Former Hyderabad cricketer P. Harimohan, himself an writer of many books, Rajesh Yadav, a member of the Ranji Trophy profitable squad, Imran Mirza, father of Sania Mirza, have been amongst those that graced the occasion.