A Feast of Vultures: The Hidden Business of Democracy in India

by Josy Joseph

In 2000, Thakur, just twenty-five but already an emerging politician, was elected as president of the cricket association of his home state Himachal Pradesh. His father Prem Kumar Dhumal was then the state’s chief minister. In November that year, during a Himachal Pradesh vs Jammu & Kashmir game in the domestic first-class tournament, the Ranji Trophy, Thakur made a dramatic entry as captain of his team. It was historic, ridiculous and a story for our times. It was probably the first – and last – time that the president of a state cricket association got himself elected as the captain without undergoing selection trials or playing any significant cricket. With that otherwise insignificant appearance, Thakur became qualified to become a member of the national junior selection committee, satisfying the criterion that only first-class cricketers could be a part of national selection panels. Since then, he has been steadily climbing the ladder of power. Today, he is probably the most powerful sports administrator in India.