India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has joined multi-crore corporate giant Reliance Industries Ltd as executive (sports and culture).

"I am glad the youngest Indian Test cricketer Parthiv Patel joins the great Reliance family today. His investiture marks the beginning of a new era", Reliance executive, in-charge of Gujarat, Parimal Nathwani said at a function in Ahmedabad on Friday.

This is the first time that Reliance has inducted any sportsperson as its employee, company sources said.

Declining to reveal the "handsome" pay package for Patel, Nathwani said the job would be akin to a 'sports advisor' and clarified that the cricketer would not be a brand ambassador.

Patel, whose popularity soared after scoring 69 against arch-rivals Pakistan in the third and final Test, told reporters that the company has asked him only to concentrate on his game.

He was given the company's blazer and cap on the occasion.

"I am both humbled and enthusiastic about joining Reliance, which has inducted me just at the onset of my career," Patel said.