With the euro in peril and the US on the brink of bankruptcy, the west seems to have enough to worry about without fretting about cricket. Yet a private dinner, in London on Monday night, was just the latest indication of how global power is shifting from west to east – and how India’s newly rich and powerful elite is throwing its weight around far from home.
The dinner launched the foundation of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s handsome and much-loved captain, whose team began the first match of its tour against England on Thursday. The event, backed by high-profile business names such as Citibank and Asprey, saw a room full of rich Indians, quaffing champagne and spending vast sums on cricket memorabilia.
An Indian cricket painting went for £260,000. The cricket bat with which Dhoni hit the runs that won the World Cup in March went for £60,000. The winner was so overwhelmed that, when he took possession from Dhoni himself, he upped his own bid, and paid £100,000.