Ratan Tata played a pivotal role in helping Indian cricket rise to success over the years. A visionary in India’s social landscape, Ratan Tata passed away on Wednesday, leaving behind a legacy that extended far beyond the business world. One of the country’s most cherished industrialists, his generosity and forward-thinking touched countless lives. Known as a major philanthropist, charity was a way of life for Tata, and he was instrumental in supporting the country’s sports stars, particularly cricketers, in their journey to success.
Whether by providing cricketers a platform to play or offering support through sponsorships, the Tata Group acted as a pillar of support during challenging times.
Tata Group Companies as Platforms for Emerging Cricketers
Former India cricketer Farokh Engineer received backing from Tata Motors, while Air India, another Tata Group company, provided a platform for former stars such as Mohinder Amarnath, Sanjay Manjrekar, Robin Uthappa, and VVS Laxman to excel in their careers.
Indian Airlines, also linked to the Tata Group, gave cricketers like Javagal Srinath, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, and Mohammed Kaif a chance to shine.
Current players like Shardul Thakur (Tata Power) and Jayant Yadav (Air India) also owe gratitude to the Tata Group for their support in their sporting journeys.
These companies, under the Tata Group umbrella, provided cricketers with important employment opportunities, allowing them to focus on their sports without sacrificing their professional futures.
IPL Sponsorship During Difficult Times
Beyond offering platforms for cricketers, the Tata Group has sponsored cricket events for decades. The Titan Cup in 1996 marked the start of their association with cricket, though this was briefly interrupted by the match-fixing scandal in 2000.
When Chinese phone manufacturer Vivo withdrew from IPL sponsorship in 2020 due to border tensions between India and China, the Tata Group stepped in to rescue the league. Tata’s involvement with the IPL has grown since, culminating in a record-breaking four-year sponsorship deal worth Rs 2,500 crore ahead of the 2024 season, the largest in the league’s history.
Ratan Tata’s contributions to cricket weren’t limited to men’s cricket. The Tata Group also became a key sponsor of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) when it was launched by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2023. Tata has committed to sponsoring the WPL until 2027.
