The Ambitious World of Naveen Jindal
- Dec 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 3
On the polo fields of India, Naveen Jindal is more than a billionaire patron of the sport. To his teammates, the Chairman of Jindal Steel & Power is ‘Captain Cool’—a true sportsman-commander who leads with precision and pride.
Off the field, the charismatic 55-year-old magnate is making equally bold moves in business. Last week, Jindal submitted a bid for the troubled steel assets of German industrial giant Thyssenkrupp.
Any bidder for Thyssenkrupp’s steel division would need to assume substantial pension liabilities, estimated at around $2.9 billion. Yet the potential acquisition offers strategic advantages, as Thyssenkrupp’s steel unit is poised to benefit from rising European defense spending.
While the bid value remains undisclosed, Jindal has committed to investing over $2.2 billion in the venture.
A successful deal would catapult Jindal—owner of India’s fourth-largest steel producer—into the ranks of the world’s top steel manufacturers. His integrated empire already spans mines in Africa and Australia, alongside steel plants in Oman and Europe. This would also mark his second major European acquisition, following last year’s purchase of a major steel plant in the Czech Republic. Jindal has also held talks with Rome to acquire a plant in southern Italy.
The Jindal Group, with interests spanning steel, coal, and cement, reported revenue of approximately $13 billion in the fiscal year ending March, with a solid profit margin.
A Legacy of Boldness
Audacity runs in the family. Jindal’s father, Om Prakash Jindal, was a pioneering figure in India’s steel sector before his death in a helicopter accident in 2005. In the late 1990s, he divided his business empire among his four sons, while his widow, Savitri, became chairperson of the holding company to ensure unity. Jindal’s elder half-brother, Sajjan, built JSW Group into India’s largest steel producer, creating a dynastic rivalry.
For now, Naveen Jindal’s focus is firmly on the European steel chessboard. Success would see ‘Captain Cool’ enter a new league of global steel barons.
“The Jindal Group has been expanding its global footprint,” said Rajesh Ravi, an analyst at HDFC Securities in Mumbai. “They are already a significant player in India; now they are aiming to become a formidable force in the European Union.”
The Patriot and the Polo Patron
Jindal’s passion for elite sports has shaped his glamorous image, while a landmark decade-long legal battle to lift government restrictions on flying the Indian national flag cemented his patriotic reputation. In 2004, the Indian Supreme Court upheld the right of citizens to fly the flag daily—a ruling directly influenced by Jindal’s advocacy.
Galloping Ahead: A Vision for Polo
As an accomplished polo player and sports enthusiast, Jindal captains the Jindal Panther Polo Team and has represented India in international shooting competitions, including the Asian and South Asian Games.
His team is now pursuing a transformative vision: to make polo not only competitive but also accessible across India. Jindal aims to shatter the sport’s long-standing image as the “sport of kings,” moving it beyond elite private clubs and high-society events.
Leading this resurgence is the Jindal Panther Polo Team, which blends heritage with a modern, inclusive outlook through a program dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Indian polo talent.
Take the case of Siddhant Sharma, a professional Indian polo player whose career accelerated after joining the Jindal Panther Polo Club. “Signing with this team changed my life,” says Sharma, a first-generation player from Dehradun who once had limited access and opportunities. “It has allowed me to grow as a professional athlete and as a person, thanks to Mr. Jindal’s sponsorship and support.” Today, he is one of the country’s most promising polo talents.
Alongside him is the experienced Simran Singh Shergill, a respected Arjuna Award winner. For Shergill, the club represents something bigger than competition. “The team has taken a very progressive approach to developing polo in India,” he says. “Beyond playing at the highest level, we actively mentor young players, giving them the chance to train and play alongside seasoned professionals.”
This dedication to mentorship defines the team. Both Sharma and Shergill spend considerable time off the field teaching young athletes about discipline, teamwork, and passion for the game. Their efforts are supported by grassroots initiatives—youth training camps at schools, academies, and polo clubs offer hands-on experience, from basics to riding alongside pros. Some of these trainees already compete nationally, proof of a viable talent pipeline the Jindal Panthers are cultivating.
The team also leverages modern outreach, live-streaming matches, producing interactive online content, and hosting open games to engage wider audiences. For a sport often seen as distant or exclusive, this visibility has been invaluable in sparking new interest.
“My experience with Jindal Panther has been transformative,” says Shergill. “The professionalism, infrastructure, and opportunities I’ve had here have allowed me to advance my skills, compete against the best, and contribute to India’s presence on the global polo stage.”
That global vision captures the scale of the team’s aspirations. By blending tradition with inclusion, professionalism with mentorship, and visibility with competitiveness, Jindal Panther is redefining Indian polo. This is not a story of nostalgia, but of a sport galloping confidently into the future—with young riders, inspired fans, and an unshakable belief that Indian polo can once again run at full stride.
