Page 12 - BPCL Magazine_Vol 4_Issue 4_Oct-Dec_2025

KNOW YOUR SPORTSPERSON - 2

DEEPAK JAIN, THE FIRST CRICKETER AND THE SECOND

SPORTSPERSON TO JOIN BPCL IN 1987

In BPCL’s rich sporting legacy, few consistency, promise, and national-
journeys stand out as powerfully as level merit.
that of Deepak Jain, the first cricketer
It was during this defining phase
ever to be formally recruited into the
in his cricketing journey that BPCL
organization. His association with
entered his life. Guided by the advice
BPCL, beginning in 1987, has grown
of Mr. Hanumant Singh, former India
into a remarkable story of sporting
Test cricketer and Chairman of the
excellence, professional evolution,
Selection Committee, he approached
and an unwavering commitment to
BPCL and met Mr. R. K. Sukhdev Sinhji,
building a vibrant sports culture within
then GM (P&A). After undergoing trials
the company. His journey reflects how
and evaluations, the final selection list Australia, experiences that enriched
talent, discipline, and opportunity can
was announced, and at the very top his understanding of the game and
come together to forge a legacy of
was his name. On 8 June 1987, Deepak sharpened his competitive edge.
lasting impact.
Jain created history by becoming the BPCL’s wholehearted support during
Long before he joined BPCL, Deepak first cricketer to join Bharat Petroleum, these international stints stands
Jain had already carved his mark on marking the beginning of a journey as a testament to the company’s
India’s domestic cricket landscape. that would profoundly shape his life. commitment to fostering talent
He represented Rajasthan in the Ranji beyond organizational boundaries.
For the next fifteen years, he
Trophy and the Duleep Trophy, and in
represented BPCL with pride and Among his many achievements,
1986, he was named a standby player
excellence, contributing to numerous certain performances have become
for the Indian team touring England,
tournament victories and helping part of BPCL’s sporting folklore. One
an exceptional achievement for a
build a formidable presence in such defining moment was the 1991
young athlete. This recognition was
the PSPB circuit. His role was both PSPB final. IOC had set a daunting
reaffirmed in 1990 when he was once
anchoring and inspirational. Between total of 286 runs in 45 overs, an
again selected as a standby for the
1986 and 1992, he also played almost impossible target at that time.
national team’s tour of New Zealand.
professional county cricket in England, The previous day, Deepak Jain had
These milestones were not just
competed in Kenya, and toured suffered a serious chin injury in the
honors; they were strong indicators of

Team India Senior Cricket Team Vs Pakistan Senior Team
at Lucknow 2006

12 | Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited