CRICKET | MIKE ATHERTON

In cricket and beyond, India is a nation that feels its time is now

Helped by rapid economic growth and the IPL’s positive impact, Mike Atherton finds no sign of the game’s usual sense of doom during his four months in the vibrant, tech-savvy nation

Many of India’s up-and-coming cricketers have traditionally learnt their game on the maidans of Mumbai, but representation now comes from all over
Many of India’s up-and-coming cricketers have traditionally learnt their game on the maidans of Mumbai, but representation now comes from all over
PHIL BROWN/POPPERFOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Mike Atherton
The Times

During the build-up to England’s final Test in Dharamsala — their last week of a long Indian winter — most eyes were trained elsewhere. To the small city of Jamnagar, to be precise, where about 150 unscheduled flights brought a combination of billionaires, Bollywood stars, cricketers and celebrities for the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of India’s richest man.

Among the guests were Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg; Bollywood royalty Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone; Rihanna, who was being paid millions to perform, and, er, Sam Curran. Actually, Curran, whose Instagram post about the wedding included a nod to various stylists and outfitters who had decked him out, was one of a number of cricketers paying homage to the family that