It’s only rock’n’roll, but Doshi loves it

Doshi has had a long association with the Stones. Some three decades ago, when Doshi was playing for Nottinghamshire, cricket fan met rock fan. Mick Jagger had come to watch the county game, Doshi approached him and introduced himself. ‘‘Over the years our friendship grew,’’ he says.

He was, by then, already a fan of their music. ‘‘I’ve loved this band since I was in school; all through my cricketing career, in fact, the music of the Rolling Stones was my travelling companion. Many Indian cricketers who’ve shared rooms with me have been forced to listen to ‘Midnight Rambler’ and ‘Satisfaction’. But I tell you there’ve been quite a few who’ve become fans because of me.’’

So how did the tour come about? The keeness for the trip, he says, was mutual. ‘‘The Stones were quite eager to tour India. Chances are, they will lose money on the concerts. They are aware of that but wanted to play in front of an Indian audience,’’ he explains.

In fact, apart from Mumbai and Bangalore, there are plans for a third concert at Kolkata. ‘‘It could happen, because of the huge popularity of the band there I am keen about having a concert there too.’’

Doshi is eager to dismiss the popular notion of the Stones being hellraisers offstage. ‘‘These guys are are perfect English gentlemen who are connoisseurs of cricket,’’ he said. ‘‘They are very normal guys. But you know not exactly normal, since whenever they go out they get mobbed.’’

But soon the fan in Doshi takes over as he goes in raptures about his idol Mick Jagger, who studied at the London School of Economics. ‘‘He’s like a ballet dancer, a trendsetter, an inspiration to other bands and a real performer on stage,’’ he says.

The crunch question: given a choice between a cricket match and a Rolling Stones concert, what would he prefer? No contest, says Doshi; the Stones win hands down.