Review: Captain Khadoos

Earlier in 2021, English cricketer Ben Stokes announced that he will be taking an indefinite break from cricket to focus on his mental health and well-being. Australian cricketer Glen Maxwell did the same last year. It yet again shed light on the mental health concerns among sportspersons, which have acutely compounded due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But the question is how much progress has been made in sensitizing people towards mental illness issues?

While the likes of Stokes and Maxwell were courageous in openly talking about their health and also received overwhelming support from the board and the cricket fraternity alike, there might still be many sports persons who are not comfortable in acknowledging their state of mind. Captain Khadoos by Arjun Hemmady  attempts to explore these themes of through a fictional story of an Indian cricketer.

What is it about?

The novel is set in 2025. It revolves around the journey of its protagonist Suraj Bhatkal, a cricketer aiming to make a comeback to the Indian team. He was dropped after getting diagnosed with depression. Suraj tasted success at an early age of 19 when he was selected for the Mumbai team. His impressive performance led to an Indian selection and in no time he established himself as a premier all-rounder.

Picture Credits: Lakshit Singhal/Cricket Field Chronicles

But his encounter with depression forced him away from the sport he passionately loved and followed. Suraj however was not ready to quit his dreams. Supported by his father, coach and psychologist, he decides to come out of depression and also make a comeback in the Indian team. Does he manage to do it? His transformative journey forms the crux of the story.

Things that work

The narration is simple and easy to understand. The novel is strong on emotions which shall keep the readers hooked. Cricket technicalities are on point too. The author fairly succeeds in humanizing cricketers - creating a world far different from the regular glitz and glamour that the cricketers found themselves in. The novel also highlights how the world perceives and treats individuals suffering from mental illness. This, I believe, is the strong point of the book.

The author establishes the vulnerabilities of the protagonist dealing with mental health struggles with sensitivity and compassion. He makes a strong case that even though people in India have become more aware about depression, they are still not accepting of it. The need to prioritize our mental well-being is highlighted brilliantly - making the novel as much about life as about cricket.

Drawbacks

My discontent with the novel is that it lacked thrill and excitement due to the linear character focused storyline. The narrative is fast-paced but at the same time feels rushed, meaning that characters don’t get enough time to create a bond with the readers. The plot feels half-baked and underdeveloped. I wish the story had more layers and characters were crafted with more depth to make it more engaging and relatable.

Final Thoughts

On the whole, Captain Khadoos is a brave attempt to shed light on mental health issues through the prism of sports. Despite its narrative flaws, the novel succeeds in striking a chord with you because of its dramatic quirks, straight-forward characters and simple storyline. It will particularly delight cricket lovers who are looking for a breezy and enjoyable cricket fiction read.

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