Ratan Tata (L) with former India cricketer Sourav Ganguly. Image: Tata Group
Few figures in the Indian business world are held in as high regard as Ratan Tata. The revered industrialist and former chairman of Tata Sons passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86.
Renowned for his remarkable achievements as a business tycoon and philanthropist, Ratan Tata played a crucial role in shaping India's economy. His humility and approachable demeanour made him one of the most recognised business leaders on the global stage.
Read | Sports stars pay tribute to Ratan Tata
Ratan Tata was also known for his deep affection for sports, particularly cricket.
His legacy extends far beyond the corporate world; as the former chairman of Tata Sons, he significantly contributed to the development of Indian cricket and its players.
Many of the country's top cricketers attribute part of their success to the support provided by the Tata Group.
Tata Group's connection with Indian cricket
Over the years, Ratan Tata has overseen a range of companies under the Tata Group umbrella. These organisations have been instrumental in offering Indian cricketers job opportunities, financial aid, and a conducive environment for balancing their sporting and professional careers.
Generations of players have benefitted from the Tata Group's commitment to nurturing sporting talent, particularly those who compete at the highest levels.
Several prominent cricketers have had direct ties to Tata Group. For instance, Farokh Engineer received support from Tata Motors, while Air India played a significant role in the careers of distinguished players like Mohinder Amarnath, Sanjay Manjrekar, Robin Uthappa, and VVS Laxman.
Indian Airlines, also affiliated with the Tata Group, served as a launching pad for many athletes, including Javagal Srinath, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Mohammed Kaif.
Additionally, cricketers such as Ajit Agarkar (Tata Steel) and Rusi Surti (IHCL, or Indian Hotels Company Limited) were part of the Tata family.
More recently, athletes like Shardul Thakur (Tata Power) and Jayant Yadav (Air India) have continued to benefit from the long-standing support of the Tata Group for cricket.
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