From Spin to Strategy: Remembering Dilip Doshi’s Legacy On and Off the Field

Former India Test cricketer Dilip Doshi passed away at 77. A late bloomer in cricket, he later pioneered Montblanc’s entry into India, becoming a key figure in the country’s luxury retail landscape.

Dilip Doshi Profile (Image Source: Google)

India Test cricketer Dilip Doshi passed away at the age of 77 following a cardiac arrest. He began his Test career at the age of 32, as his prime years as a spinner coincided with the presence of Bishan Singh Bedi in the Indian side. When he eventually got his opportunity, after Bedi's retirement in 1979–80, Doshi went on to claim 114 Test wickets in 33 appearances.

He also had strong ties to county cricket, having played for Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire. Doshi became only the second bowler — after Australia’s Clarrie Grimmett — to take 100 Test wickets after debuting at the age of 30 or older. Saeed Ajmal and Ryan Harris later joined this elite list.

While his international cricket career was relatively short, it was filled with memorable stories. However, his post-retirement life was even more eventful — and largely unknown to the public. He was a close friend of Mick Jagger and Gary Sobers.

With business acumen running in his blood, Doshi seamlessly transitioned into entrepreneurship after retiring from cricket. He achieved a notable first: introducing Montblanc pens to India. In the 1990s, he turned the Montblanc pen into a status symbol.

In 1994, he founded Entrack India. Leveraging the Indian government’s liberalisation policy, he began exclusive distribution of several foreign brands, including Montblanc. His personal connection with the brand dated back to childhood — a Montblanc pen gifted by his father, purchased from Germany. Motivated by nostalgia and vision, Doshi facilitated Montblanc’s entry into the Indian market at a time of significant change.

A lesser-known fact about Doshi was that he was a foodie. This passion inspired him to open Montblanc boutiques within luxury hotel restaurants. At one point, there were 16 Montblanc boutiques across India. He is widely credited in business circles for pioneering the Indian market for luxury brands. The first Montblanc boutique opened at Delhi’s Maurya Hotel. "A luxury product has to be sold in a luxurious environment," he used to say.

However, his association with Montblanc ended on a sour note. After the brand had been firmly established in India through Doshi’s efforts, Montblanc Germany sought to expand further through partnerships with larger corporations. The company terminated its distribution agreement with Entrack International (effective September 30, 2014) and entered a ₹33.55 crore joint venture with Tata Group’s Titan, holding a 51:49 stake. Montblanc and Titan secured government clearance for their single-brand retail business in India.

To Doshi, it wasn’t merely a terminated business deal — he considered it a betrayal. Disillusioned, he filed a ₹217.96 crore civil suit in Rajkot and also lodged a criminal complaint against the multinational company. He accused the Swiss firm of “fraud to weaken the business and misuse of confidential information” obtained from Entrack.

After nearly two and a half years, in February 2017, Doshi lost the case. The matter had gone to ICC arbitration in Geneva, and the entire award was ruled against him. It was a major disappointment, especially given that the foundation he built for Montblanc in India ultimately benefited others.

Despite the setback, Doshi continued his entrepreneurial journey. He entered the retail space once again, distributing two premium European brands in India — Kahla porcelain and Greggio designer silverware — through Entrack.

Eventually, however, he found it difficult to navigate the Indian business environment and moved permanently to the UK. There, he took over the British arm of the family business, which dealt in engineering and mining equipment.

For many Indians who came of age in the 1990s, Dilip Doshi will always be remembered as the man who made the Montblanc pen a coveted symbol of success.