I first came to India in 2003. Although I didn’t know much about him then, Narendra Modi had already been chief minister of Gujarat for two years. That thought struck me when I heard that he has now completed 25 years as the head of a government. This is a very long time in any democracy. In cricketing terms, it is a whole career and more. In Britain, six prime ministers have come and gone since Modi became Prime Minister (PM) of India in 2014. So, this sort of longevity in a vibrant democracy is extraordinary.

I have spent a big part of my adult life coming to India to play cricket and travel. I have met extraordinary people and made friends here. Despite being an outsider, I have watched India change from close quarters.

What strikes me most today is the confidence palpable everywhere in the country — a cheerful self-belief in its own destiny.

When I first came to India, there was a particular kind of diffidence, which almost felt like there was not enough realisation of its own potential. Today, there is a different feeling. Indians today think bigger and compete harder. They expect more from themselves and from their country.

I have seen this very clearly in sport.

Take Indian cricket, for example. When I first arrived in India, there were wonderful players and huge passion. But a lot of India’s success hinged on a small group of extremely talented superstars.

Today, the depth of Indian teams is extraordinary. A team sitting on the sidelines can beat the best in the world. Young players arrive with a........

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