The Hindu – Monday, May 28, 2001

Guru, Gray, Star, Bull, Frog, Shaker, Thakar and Aunty Sweety… what or who are they? Actually, they are ‘cricketophiles’ who together form the Gulab Nagar team and they feature in a comic book titled "Cricket Miracles: The Challenge".

Part of a series launched by Toonz Animation, a Thiruvananthapuram based 
digital and ink studio, the comic book (Rs.50) was recently released by the cricketer-turned umpire S Venkatraghavan, at the Goodbooks bookstore, Abhiramapuram. Also present was Bill Dennis, president, Toonz Animation. Cricket is a way of life, a mania for most Indians. And this six book series, titled Pakka Toonz, is cashing in on this mania. 

The story is set in the make believe locality of Gulab Nagar, in Mumbai. The Miracles, the young and enthusiastic protagonists, eat cricket, sleep cricket,
breathe cricket and in fact, live cricket. In addition to the long and short stories, the comics feature puzzles, fun pages (like ‘spot the differences’, ‘Cricket search’) and trivia on the game. The Pakka Toonz series will alternate every month with the Classic Toonz series, which is based on Indian mythology. These books are being marketed by the Goodbooks.

The colorful illustrations and the simple style of the narrative are bound to appeal to young minds. Also, these books open up a whole new world to children and trigger their imagination as well as their curiosity, a glimpse of which one caught at the signing session with Venkatragavan....

Addressing the children, who sat in rapt attention, Venkatragavan reiterated the fact that cricket is a "gentleman’s game". It should be played in the right spirit…the spirit to win." For the engineer who took to cricket at school, it has been a long, and at times tough journey. "Uncle, is cricket a difficult game?" a little girl wanted to know. "Just stand in the field for a day without doing anything and you’ll know," is how Venkatraghavan reacted, amidst laughter....

The first Indian Test Cricketer to become an international umpire, Venkatraghavan feels" self-confidence is the key to successful umpiring. Stick to your decision, and if you think you have made a mistake, admit it and may be revise your decision." Has he ever made a mistake?" "No. Not yet" is the confident reply.

Before one realized it, the stumps had to be drawn on the session. What made the day’s play interesting was the response of the children, who were unfazed by the star guest, and most importantly, willing to grab any bit of information that came their way.