This is a different platform; it's not the 22 yards," laughed Sachin Tendulkar, looking spiffy in an embroidered kurta, Nehru jacket and knotted stole. The cricket legend was one of the key guests on Monday evening at Artisan Speak, a fashion showcase held at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Elephanta Caves, backed by the Ministry of Textiles.

The audience included Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Zubin Irani, and designers Rakesh Thakore, Payal Khandwala, Narendra Kumar, Meera Muzaffar Ali and Gaurang. There was reason why Tendulkar spoke no cricket and only textiles. His latest investment is a clothing line in partnership with Arvind Fashion Brands, called True Blue.