History is littered with examples of individuals who rose to astronomical heights within a short span of time, only to come crashing down at a faster rate. Lalit Modi fits this description to perfection in the Indian context, and the former Indian Premier League commissioner will in all likelihood be banned for life when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) meets to decide his fate later this month.

Ravi Shastri delivering the Sardesai Memorial Lecture at the Bombay Gym yesterday. Pic/Bipin Kokate.