New Delhi, Dec. 23 -- Gopal (Vittal) is one of those rare leaders who is equally left and right brained. I once barged into Gopal's office and found him listening to Kumar Gandharva while deep in his Excel sheets. - Sudhir Sitapati, managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of Godrej Consumer Products.

Over the last nine-ten years, India's telecom sector has been buffeted into submission by the entry of the country's richest and most powerful businessman into phone services. From 13 players in 2014, there are today just four companies remaining in the business - led by Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio Infocomm (Jio).

"So, while the launch [of Jio made disappear] six-seven companies and triggered consolidation, Airtel has stood its...