From delivering lethal left-armers till 1984 to currently pushing MontBlanc writing instruments and other quality life-style products in the country, Doshi contends he is employing the same principles.

"The basics are the same for both, but believe me there are no one-dayers in business," Doshi is quick to add. "This is particularly so in my line of business which is built on tradition and high-value clientele," he says.

Close on the heels of the success of two Mont Blanc boutiques in Delhi and Mumbai, Entrack, the New Jersey-based company which Doshi heads, is now setting up two more in Hyderabad and Bangalore with the possibility of one more in Chennai later next year.

In addition, the company is also lining up an array of some of the world's best-known names in life-style products likeWedgewood, Burberry, Christofle, Bacaret crystal ware and Richard Ginori for entry into the country later next year.

But given the high value and exclusivity of the products, what is the potential for them, one wonders. Doshi is, howeverr, upbeat. Though I have not conducted any surveys as you cannot research luxury products, my own gut feeling is that there are plenty even in Hyderabad who would like to own a Mont Blanc writing instrument.

Given the lowest price tag of Rs 6,875 for the classic ball pen and going upto Rs 5 lakh for the Soltaire 149, which has an entry in the Guiness Book as the world's costliest fountain pen, the enthusiasm comes something as a surprise.

"There are many in the country who would like to own such instruments and have indeed been passing them down through generations," Doshi adds, informing that there are just 7.5 million people the world over using Montblanc, adding to the product's exclusivity.

While Doshi is reluctant to give figures, he conceeds investments on theproject are quite heavy. But then we are looking for much more than commercial returns, Doshi responds. "My being here is more akin to a five-day test match," says the former cricketer, whose dislike for one-day cricket is well-known.

Yes, low-value high-turnover business like one-day cricket may keep the cash registers ringing, Doshi agrees. But just like the damage, one-day cricket has done to Indian cricketers and the game, good business too cannot be done by changing the basics, he points out.