Anindya Sircar is a seasoned banker, certified life and career coach, and a passionate cricket enthusiast. With over three decades of experience in team management, he combines personal transformation insights with cricket wisdom in his debut book The Boy at the Boundary.
The Literature Times: What inspired you to write The Boy at the Boundary?
Anindya Sircar: To be candid, though I have been writing and blogging on social media and elsewhere, the idea of writing a book had never crossed my mind. I had laughed off the suggestion made by several friends and even my life partner, till one of my friends, Mr. Jayant Singh, planted the thought deep in my mind and patiently nurtured it until I finally relented and agreed to let it bloom into a book. Cricket being my first love, I found no better theme to write a book on. This book is a fructification of a dream that I never dreamt of—a strange but truly wonderful revelation about how life can surprise us.
The Literature Times: How does your experience as a cricket coach influence the storytelling in your book?
Anindya Sircar: Being a cricket coach has profoundly shaped my storytelling, offering me a unique perspective that goes beyond my own experiences as a player. Coaching young aspirants and older enthusiasts has given me a rare insight into their mindset—their hopes, insecurities, struggles, and unwavering passion for the game. As a player, I could only view cricket from my lens, but as a coach, I have had the privilege of seeing the game through the eyes of many.
This deep understanding of my coachees’ emotions and motivations allows me to craft more authentic and relatable characters. I have witnessed firsthand how self-doubt can hold back a talented player, how perseverance can turn an underdog into a match-winner, and how the smallest moments—be it a dropped catch or a hard-earned run—can shape a person’s journey.
In The Boy on the Boundary, Akhil’s story is infused with these real-life experiences. His struggles and triumphs reflect those of countless players I have coached, making the narrative not just about cricket, but about resilience, growth, and the human spirit. Coaching has given me a storyteller’s lens—one that captures the emotional depth behind every game, every challenge, and every dream.
The Literature Times: Akhil, the protagonist, is not the most gifted, but what makes his story resonate with readers?
Anindya Sircar: Akhil’s story resonates with readers because he is not the most naturally gifted cricketer, yet his journey is one of relentless passion, perseverance, and quiet resilience. Many people see themselves in him—not as prodigies, but as individuals striving to overcome limitations, be it physical, emotional, or societal. His struggles mirror the everyday battles of those who are often overlooked, underestimated, or told they are not “good enough.”
What makes Akhil’s journey compelling is his unwavering love for the game. He does not chase fame or external validation; instead, he dedicates himself to cricket with deep, unconditional devotion. He consciously works on his strengths, making fielding his USP when others focus on batting and bowling. His story is not about instant success but about gradual growth, learning from failures, and finding purpose through persistence.
Readers connect with Akhil because his journey is real—full of self-doubt, small victories, and the relentless pursuit of excellence despite setbacks. His story is a testament to the idea that passion and perseverance can sometimes outweigh raw talent, making him an inspiring figure for anyone who has ever dared to dream and work towards it, step by step
The Literature Times: How do you view the role of sports in shaping an individual’s character?
Anindya Sircar: Sport is one of the greatest teachers of life, shaping an individual’s character in ways few other pursuits can. It instils discipline, resilience, and selfless teamwork, but more importantly, it teaches values that define a person beyond the field.
In sports, you respect your opponent—not just as a competitor, but as someone who pushes you to improve. Unlike many aspects of life where rivalry breeds animosity, sport encourages learning from those who challenge you. Victory is not just about personal glory but about acknowledging the role of your team and competition in your growth.
True sportsmanship lies in humility and gratitude. Winning teaches you to celebrate with grace, while losing builds resilience and fuels self-improvement. The ability to handle setbacks, work towards a goal, and push through adversity are invaluable life lessons. Sport, in essence, is a mirror of life—demanding hard work, teaching patience, and above all, shaping individuals into better human beings.
The Literature Times: Cricket has been a lifelong passion for you. How did this influence the themes of the book?
Anindya Sircar: Cricket has been my first and ongoing love affair—it flows in my veins and has shaped me as a man. To be frank, this book would never have taken shape if cricket had not been such a defining part of my life.
The themes of The Boy on the Boundary are deeply influenced by the game and everything it represents. Cricket is not just about talent or technique; it’s about perseverance, discipline, resilience, and passion—qualities that are central to Akhil’s journey. His struggles, self-doubt, and unwavering commitment mirror the experiences of so many players who live and breathe the game, even when success seems out of reach.
Through Akhil’s story, I wanted to capture the emotional depth of cricket—not just the highs of victory but the lessons learned in failure, the camaraderie, the sacrifices, and the quiet moments of self-discovery on the field. Cricket, for me, is more than a sport; it’s a way of life, and this book is my tribute to its profound impact on me and countless others who find meaning within the oval .
The Literature Times: Your book talks about resilience and transformation. Could you share how these themes align with your personal journey?
Anindya Sircar: Resilience and transformation are not just themes in The Boy on the Boundary—they are deeply ingrained in my own journey. I have been a banker for almost three decades, spending 27+ years with the same organisation. The road has not always been smooth, and there were times when I could have quit and moved on during turbulent phases. However, resilience—something cricket has taught me time and again—made me endure, stay back, and push through challenges. Today, I may not be a star or a hero, but I am a man who has crossed boundaries, emerging stronger and deeply satisfied with the journey.
Beyond my professional life, I have witnessed the power of resilience in personal relationships as well. Just as a pupa transforms into a beautiful butterfly, I have seen people around me evolve through perseverance. My wife, Sushmita, is a remarkable example of transformation through resilience—a journey of growth, strength, and unwavering spirit.
These experiences have shaped my storytelling. Akhil’s journey in the book mirrors this belief—that setbacks are not the end, but stepping stones towards transformation. Life, like cricket, is about enduring tough spells, adapting, and ultimately emerging stronger
The Literature Times: How do you balance your career in banking with your passion for writing and cricket?
Anindya Sircar: Balancing a career in banking with my passion for writing and cricket is actually quite simple—though not always easy. When you find your true love and passion, not defined or validated by external forces, you naturally find ways to pursue and nurture them.
By God’s grace, I discovered mine early. Cricket has been a lifelong affair, and despite the demands of my profession, I have always found ways to keep it going. Coaching, playing, or simply immersing myself in the game has been possible, thanks to unwavering support from my parents, life partner and children.
Writing, on the other hand, comes naturally to me—why and how is a story for another day. But just like cricket, it is something I cherish and make time for, no matter how challenging it gets. When passion drives you, you don’t wait for the perfect moment—you create time for what truly matters
The Literature Times: What lessons from the world of cricket do you hope your readers take away from your book?
Anindya Sircar: Though the book has cricket as its prominent backdrop—given that the game has shaped me and continues to do so—it could just as easily have been any other sport. At its core, The Boy on the Boundary is about the life lessons that sports teach, lessons no book or classroom can truly impart in a practical way.
I hope readers take away the values of resilience, perseverance, and self-belief. Sport teaches you that talent alone is never enough—hard work, discipline, and an unwavering spirit are what truly matter. It shows you how to handle both victory and defeat with grace, respect your opponents, and constantly strive for self-improvement.
Most importantly, cricket, like life, demands patience and adaptability. Not every inning goes your way, but the key is to stay at the crease, keep pushing forward, and trust the process. These are the values I hope readers carry beyond the pages of this book.
The Literature Times: What message do you want to convey through the journey of Akhil in The Boy at the Boundary?
Anindya Sircar: Everyone has an Akhil within them. We all encounter boundaries—limits imposed by circumstances, self-doubt, or the world around us. But boundaries are not restrictions; they are places of reflection, where we gather perspective, prepare ourselves, and, when ready, cross over to discover new possibilities.
Through Akhil’s journey in The Boy on the Boundary, I want to convey that life is not about staying confined within limits but about embracing the challenge of pushing beyond them. Boundaries beckon us—not to hold us back, but to urge us forward, to step beyond our comfort zones, and to keep exploring new horizons.
This story is not about reaching a final destination , there is none; it is about an undeterred love for the journey itself. Like cricket, life is played one ball at a time, and the true joy lies in the experience, the learning, and the continuous pursuit of growth through each ball you bowl, each catch you take, each shot you play.
The Literature Times: What can readers expect from you in the future? Are there any more books in the pipeline?
Anindya Sircar: A lot will depend on the kind of feedback I receive, but readers can certainly expect more from me in the future. The process of writing The Boy on the Boundary has been incredibly fulfilling—not just as a creative endeavour, but as a personal journey. It has given me the chance to relive my childhood, offering a fresh perspective on events and incidents that happened decades ago. Connecting those dots now, I can see a logical flow where things once seemed random or illogical.
There are already structures forming in my mind for what comes next. My next book is in the works—a continuation of Akhil’s journey beyond the boundary, exploring his life in Kolkata, his professional and personal struggles, and how cricket, after years of absence, finds its way back to him. Through flashbacks, the story will also take readers to cities like Banaras, Darjeeling, Alipurduar and maybe a few more, weaving in rich cultural and historical elements alongside Akhil’s personal journey.
Beyond fiction, I am also working on a series of articles , drawing from my experiences in banking, coaching, mentoring , my education in Science and of course my affair with Cricket . Whether through books, articles, or blogs, I hope to continue telling stories that inspire, provoke thought, and resonate with readers. The journey has just begun, and I look forward to crossing many more boundaries ahead
