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The passing of Ratan Tata on October 9, 2024, marked the end of an era for India. As one of the nation’s most celebrated industrialists, Tata's contributions to India extended beyond the realms of business and philanthropy.
His deep interest in a variety of fields, including sports, helped shape careers and lives across generations. Companies under the Tata Group umbrella have had a lasting impact on Indian cricket, providing financial stability and job opportunities to numerous players who went on to become some of the most renowned cricketers in the country.
Ratan Tata's involvement in the careers of cricketers like MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly is just one example of his commitment to supporting talent.
The Tata Group, through its various enterprises, provided job opportunities to many Indian cricketers. Several Indian cricketers found stable employment with Tata Group companies, allowing them to dedicate themselves to their sport while knowing their financial future was secure.
We look at five prominent Indian cricketers who worked with the Tata Group, all of whom went on to achieve greatness in their cricketing careers.
5 prominent Indian cricketers who worked with Tata Group
MS Dhoni (Air India)
One of the most successful Indian cricket captains, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, was employed by Air India, a company under the Tata Group umbrella, during his early years in cricket.
Dhoni's position within Air India gave him the financial security needed to focus solely on his cricket career. This support allowed him to rise through the ranks and eventually lead India to numerous victories, including the iconic 2011 World Cup triumph.
Dhoni was later promoted to the post of manager in recognition of his success. In the BCCI Corporate trophy, Dhoni played for Air India until eventually resigning from the job in 2013 as his cricket career reached new heights.
Sourav Ganguly (Tata Steel)
Sourav Ganguly, known for his aggressive captaincy and formidable batting, also found support from the Tata Group through his association with Tata Steel. Ganguly played for the Tata Sports Club (TSC), which is a part of Tata Steel.
His time with the company helped him hone his cricketing skills while being backed by a stable employer. This partnership played a crucial role in shaping the early years of Ganguly’s career, enabling him to focus on the sport without the burden of financial concerns, ultimately becoming one of India's most celebrated cricket captains.
Yuvraj Singh (Air India)
Yuvraj Singh, one of India’s most explosive middle-order batters and the hero of the 2011 World Cup, was another cricketer who benefited from the Tata Group's support.
Like Dhoni, Yuvraj was employed by Air India, where he held the position of manager at the Chandigarh office. The financial backing provided by the company gave Yuvraj the stability he needed to concentrate on his game.
Yuvraj’s role in the the 2011 World Cup win earned him a promotion to senior manager, in recognition of his contributions to Indian cricket.
Harbhajan Singh (Air India)
Harbhajan Singh, India's legendary off-spinner, was also a beneficiary of Tata Group’s support. Employed by Air India, Harbhajan held the position of deputy manager at the Amritsar office.
Like his peers Dhoni and Yuvraj, Harbhajan’s employment with Air India allowed him to focus on his cricket career without worrying about financial pressures.
Following India's World Cup victory in 2011, Harbhajan was promoted to the position of manager in the company as a reward for his contributions to Indian cricket.
Suresh Raina (Air India)
Suresh Raina, who was one of India’s most dependable middle-order batters, also received substantial support from the Tata Group during his early cricketing career. Raina was employed by Air India, where he held the position of deputy manager in their New Delhi office.
Like his teammates, Raina was also promoted to the position of manager following India’s World Cup win in 2011.
