British-Indian MP, a regular host for cricket Team India

At the end of the series on September 8, at his invitation, the Indian cricket team visited UK Parliament and also 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet table. Later that evening, M S Dhoni auctioned three of his bats with part of the proceeds heading to a charity founded by Vaz.

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“Team India are a group of young men who have united a nation and enthralled the world. They have sealed forever the unbreakable bond between India and Britain and the Indian diaspora. I am very proud to welcome them to the historic British Parliament,” Vaz was quoted as saying on his website keithvazmp.com. The same evening he also announced that Leicester had offered to be the home of the first M S Dhoni academy in England.

In October that year, Vaz was invited to 10 Downing Street for a Diwali celebration along with Shiv Thakor, an upcoming British-Asian cricketer who had represented England at the U-19 level and is currently a first class cricketer for Leicestershire.

Vaz is the longest serving Asian member of UK Parliament. He has held the Leicester East seat since 1987. Vaz has been the Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee since July 2007. He was appointed a member of the Privy Council in June 2006. Earlier this year he was appointed vice-chairman of the Labour Party. He is seen as a strong backer of the British-Asian community.