Ratan Tata and his Love for Cricket: How All Big Indian Players Were Once Employed with Tata Group

India mourns the loss of a business legend, Ratan Tata, who leaves behind a legacy of innovation and progress. He was admitted to a hospital in Mumbai for the past few days and the news of his demise was confirmed on Wednesday night. His passing at 86 marks the end of an era, as tributes pour in from across the world, celebrating his enduring impact on the world of industry and beyond.

Ratan Tata was also known for his deep-rooted love for sports, particularly cricket. His legacy extends far beyond the boardroom, as the former chairman of Tata Sons played a pivotal role in supporting Indian cricket and its players. Many of India’s cricketing greats owe a part of their journey to Tata Group's backing.

The Tata Group’s Connection with Indian Cricketers

Throughout the years, Ratan Tata’s various companies under the Tata Group umbrella have been instrumental in providing Indian cricketers with jobs, financial support, and opportunities to balance their sporting and professional careers. Players from across generations have benefited from the Tata Group's commitment to nurturing sporting talent, particularly those representing the country at the highest levels.

Several famous cricketers were directly associated with Tata Group companies. For example, Farokh Engineer was supported by Tata Motors, while Air India played a key role in the careers of players like Mohinder Amarnath, Sanjay Manjrekar, Robin Uthappa, and VVS Laxman. Indian Airlines, also linked to the Tata Group, became a platform for numerous players, including Javagal Srinath, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Mohammed Kaif.

Notably, cricketers like Ajit Agarkar (Tata Steel) and Rusi Surti (IHCL, or Indian Hotels Company Limited) were also part of the Tata ecosystem. More recently, players like Shardul Thakur (Tata Power) and Jayant Yadav (Air India) have benefited from Tata Group’s long-standing support of cricket.