Former Australia captain Steve Waugh firmly believes he wouldn't have found a better place to capture the game of cricket in its full essence than India.
Waugh returned to his unconquered 'final frontier' earlier this year and went to nooks and corners of the diverse land, taking pictures of cricket being played in unique forms and areas of the nation he has come to admire "the spirit and energy" of.
His entire journey, a documentary of which will air on the ABC on Saturday (November 17), titled 'Capturing Cricket', has been turned into a photography book called 'The Spirit Of Cricket'.
"India gave me lifelong memories, but life-changing moments," Waugh was quoted as saying by ABC News. "The concept of this book was to try and find out why cricket is a religion in India."
Waugh's trip spanned over 18 days, in which he clicked pictures of little games of cricket played on the beaches, the deserts and the mountains with renowned photographer Trent Parke.
The 55-year-old also played against the monks at the foothills of the Himalayas and even saw blind and physically impaired cricketers enjoying themselves on the field.
Through it all, Waugh has only gained in empathy, realised how cricket is also an escape for many from the often unfair nature of life.
"They're quite amazing, these guys, flying through the air like ninja warriors and landing on these bamboo poles."
"There's 800 million people living below the poverty line, but cricket gives them something to connect with."
"It's a sport that doesn't take a lot of money. I mean, I often say about cricket, all you need is a bat and ball."
The only time the visit didn't feel so comfortable for Waugh was when people would group around the most-recognised Australian captain in the game's history as he and Parke went about taking snaps.
"I don't think I've met a person in India that doesn't know [I] play cricket," Waugh said. "So, straightaway you're recognised, which gives you a connection, and something to talk about."
"It was a little bit difficult getting some of the shots, because they want to be all around you and swarm around, get a selfie."
"One way I could manage that this time was to promise them a game of cricket after I took the photograph. So, it seemed to work out all OK for everyone," he added.
Waugh remembers his maiden visit to India as well, in 1986 as a young boy hoping to forge a career for Australia, the time he felt it was "like landing on another planet."
"I was, however, immediately captivated by the spirit and energy of the people."
