BCCI part ways with long-time team masseur Rajeev Kumar

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to part ways with Indian team masseur Rajeev Kumar, it is understood. Kumar, a familiar figure, was part of the team for nearly 15 years including the recent tour to England.

“The Indian board has decided to discontinue with Rajeev’s services. The Indian team had already appointed a masseur, which was recommended by team management before,” a source in the board confirmed.

When the match was on, he could be seen prowling beside the boundary ropes with a trademark warm smile. Once the day ended, he was the first person players turned to, when they began to loosen up their stiff and aching muscles. After the sessions, Rajeev and others would start mixing energy drinks for the players. “Some need protein shakes, some electrolyte drinks and some plain water. These people have been part of the Indian team for a while, they share a special bond with players, they also know what the players’ prefer,” said a senior player during the 2022 edition of the T20 World Cup.

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He was part of the gang that were stationed outside the boundary rope at the four corners of the field to lend a helping hand to the team when they were fielding, ensuring that they needn’t retrieve the balls that had gone past the fence. Thereby, the fielders were kept fresh and the over rate was also managed.

Kumar shared an excellent rapport with most of the team members, especially the seamers, who he promptly tended to after backbreaking spells. He became popular on social media after Mohammed Shami shared a picture on Twitter celebrating his birthday alongside Ishant Sharma and Kumar in 2019. Kumar celebrates his birthday on September 1, followed by Ishant’s on September 2, and Shami’s on September 3. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal too once praised him and other backroom staff: “People recognise us, the cricketers, but these are the people who put in a lot of effort to help us perform better.”

The Indian team had earlier parted ways with assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, team masseur Arun Kanade and strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai. Desai was given the option to continue but he decided to move on. Fielding coach T Dilip too left the team before the board did a U-turn and reappointed him.

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