Business and cricket was not all. Branson also boarded the boarded the second-class compartment of a local train at Andheri in Mumbai, along with over 25 dabbawallahs (tiffin-box carriers) and interacted with them till the Churchgate railway station.

"It was a lovely experience to interact with them. I enjoyed carrying a dabba with me," Branson, holding a tiffin-box aloft.

Striking a pose in the traditional Gandhi cap of dabbawallahs, Branson said: "I am going to deliver food in this dabba to my office people."

Virgin Atlantic Airways Chairman Richard Branson with Mumbai's dabbawallahs on Friday.

Photograph: Arun Patil