In Mumbai, the suits will flock to the tracksuits

There’s enough reason to party. Corporate profits have boomed 38 per cent in the second quarter of the current financial year, against the year-ago period. And Diwali sales are 20 per cent up from the previous three years.

But it’s not all play. After all, the schmooze list includes the states speed-recall politicians, the city’s top cops and leading customs and income-tax bureaucrats.

“It’s a great opportunity to network with government. Many industrialists have told me they will be there just to meet other people,” says Vijay Kalantari, president of All-India Association of Industries, and an ardent fan.

So managing director of HDFC Keki Mistry, chairman Deepak Parekh, M&M vice chairman Anand Mahindra, RPG group head Harsh Goenka, Essar chairman Shashi Ruia, Videocon chairman Venugopal Dhoot and chairman of S Kumars Nationwide Nitin Kasliwal will be hob-nobbing with the likes of Sharad Pawar, Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi and Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.

Some like the Garwares, are making it a family affair. “I’m going with my sister, my dad Shashikant and my cousin Nihal. We have two boxes at the Garware Pavilion and make it a point to watch every match there. It becomes a family picnic,” said Sonia Garware.

More than 1,000 tickets have been allotted to corporates and sponsors. Many companies like Raymonds even have their own stands.

Main sponsors Videocon and TVS have blocked over 100 seats for their executives and invitees. “Everyone wants to cheer Tendulkar on his home ground,” said Annirudh Dhoot, director of the Videocon group. “Besides, a one-day match is being held in Mumbai after a long time. That’s added to the fever.”