Castrol India has announced a significant leadership change, with Managing Director Kedar Lele resigning from his position to pursue opportunities outside the company. Lele’s resignation will take effect at the close of business on December 31, 2025, after a tenure that began in November 2024. During his time at Castrol, Lele played a pivotal role in steering the company through the evolving mobility sector, including the transition to electric vehicles. Prior to joining Castrol, Lele had a distinguished career at Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), where he served as Executive Director.
To ensure continuity in leadership, Castrol India’s Board of Directors has appointed Saugata Basuray as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. Basuray, who currently serves as the Wholetime Director and Head of B2C Sales, will assume the interim CEO role in addition to his existing responsibilities. With over 25 years at Castrol, Basuray has held various senior positions, including Managing Director roles in the Philippines and Indonesia, and has been instrumental in transforming Castrol India’s go-to-market strategy and expanding its distribution network across rural India.
This leadership transition comes at a time when Castrol India is experiencing steady growth. In the second quarter of 2025, the company reported a 5.1% increase in profit, driven by consistent demand for its automobile and industrial lubricants. Revenue from operations rose by 7.1%, supported by a near 5% increase in India’s retail vehicle sales during the quarter. Castrol India plans to continue expanding through a broader product portfolio, improved workshop network, and premium brand investments.