Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, one of India’s biggest conglomerates, passed away aged 86 on October 9 (Wednesday). Under Ratan Tata, the Tata conglomerate reached global heights and became one of the world’s most recognized business entities. Tata himself was one of the most renowned industrialists in the world. Amongst many other things, Ratan Tata was also known for his love of sports, especially cricket. However, during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, misinformation spreading on social media prompted Tata to affirm that he had “no connection to cricket whatsoever.”
Ratan Tata was known for his support to various Indian cricketers and athletes, offering them jobs, financial aid and opportunities through the Tata Group. However, last year during the 2023 ODI World Cup, which was hosted in India, Tata took to social media and denied any connection between him and cricket.
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What Prompted Ratan Tata To Assert He Had No Ties To Cricket?
Following the Afghanistan vs Pakistan World Cup match, rumours surfaced that Ratan Tata had offered a financial reward to Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan. Some news outlets and social media platforms reported that Tata had pledged ₹10 crore to Rashid after the International Cricket Council (ICC) allegedly penalised him for displaying the Indian flag during celebrations following Afghanistan’s victory over Pakistan.
However, days after the reports, Tata himself took to social media and debunked the reports and stated that he had “no connection to cricket whatsoever.”
“I have made no suggestions to the ICC or any cricket faculty about any cricket member regarding a fine or reward to any players. I have no connection to cricket whatsoever. Please do not believe WhatsApp forwards and videos of such nature unless they come from my official platforms,” he wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Here’s what Ratan Tata posted on X following the rumours:
I have made no suggestions to the ICC or any cricket faculty about any cricket member regarding a fine or reward to any players.
I have no connection to cricket whatsoever
Please do not believe WhatsApp forwards and videos of such nature unless they come from my official…
— Ratan N. Tata (@RNTata2000) October 30, 2023