BCCI Sees Off Seasoned Support Staff Member As It Sees Major Backroom Shake-Up

The Indian cricket team is undergoing a big transition as the Board of Control for Cricket in India has begun making some major changes to its support staff after Gautam Gambhir became the head coach. One of the most widely discussed happenings in the past few days is the departure of Rajeev Kumar who worked as the masseur of the Indian cricket team for over a decade. Rajeev accompanied the team on numerous tours and was even included in the recent series against England but news has it that his contract has not been extended. His extended time with the side has now ended and this has triggered debate regarding the longevity and relevance of support staff in Indian cricket.

A senior and powerful Indian team management member, as per reports, believed that support staff personnel who stay with a very long time with the side tend to lose their edge. The reasoning is that in the years they develop very strong personal relationships with players who may compromise professionalism and ultimately destroy the growth of the team overall. The theory is that new blood and new ideas can challenge players more and prevent complacency within the dressing room. This is a belief that has had a bearing on numerous recent choices about the backroom personnel of the Indian team and Rajeev Kumar's ouster appears to be an extension of the same.

This is not an isolated incident. The board had also separated from Abhishek Nayar who was a batting coach and very much respected in the domestic league. Shortly after that Soham Desai who was the strength and conditioning coach for so many years also did not stay back. These departures indicate that the Gambhir era is ushering in a total revamp of the support staff setup. In fact even fielding coach T Dilip was let go when Abhishek Nayar departed though he was recalled later before the England tour. His role remains doubtful for the next Asia Cup which makes it apparent that the board is still finalising the most apt support system around the team.

The new setup under Gautam Gambhir has already begun taking shape. Sitanshu Kotak is working as the batting coach and former South African pacer Morne Morkel has been appointed as the bowling coach. Fitness is still a priority and strength and conditioning duties are being taken care of by Adrian Le Roux. Fielding duties are being taken care of by Ryan ten Doeschate as well as his assistant coach but T Dilip remains on the backburner. Throwdowns during practice sessions are also being taken care of by Raghavendra Dwivedi or Raghu as he is popularly known. The logistics are taken care of by Upadhyaya while video analysis is also being looked after by Hari. Both of them constitute the new image backroom staff that will guide the players in the months ahead.

Rajeev Kumar's departure has quite understandably generated a lot of debate since he was one of the most reliable and longest serving members of the Indian setup. He was there on most tours and tournaments and had witnessed several regimes of coaches during his time. Players were accustomed to his presence, and his departure will certainly be missed in the dressing room. But the Indian board seems hell-bent on taking the first step towards bringing the vision of infusing new ideas and energy into the setup. Support staff roles may not get as much spotlight as coaches or captains but they are critical for player performance recovery and mental well being during long tours. A masseur like Rajeev plays a key role in helping cricketers manage the physical demands of international cricket and his decade long contribution will always be remembered.

There is also a broader argument in cricketing circles as to whether one should remove long-serving individuals who have given decades of service. Some believe that long-serving employees provide stability and profound understanding of the players' requirements. Others believe that familiarity breeds complacency and that constant change is required to maintain a competitive edge. Indian cricket has apparently walked the second route under Gautam Gambhir's captaincy and the board is endorsing this plan by taking risky decisions.

As the team heads into future tournaments such as the Asia Cup and then the all crucial World Cup the question would be about whether these personnel changes result in tangible on-field improvements. Players will have to get used to varied approaches and new ways of training. The success of these choices will only be tested through the performance of the team in high-stakes games. For the time being it is evident that the BCCI would like to provide the players with the best setup even at the cost of having to make difficult decisions that entail bidding adieu to familiar faces such as Rajeev Kumar.

The existing Indian cricket support team is a combination of international and local experience which demonstrates the board's commitment towards utilizing the best available resources for the players. Gautam Gambhir's induction has already transformed the equation and the presence of powerful decision-makers within the team management is quite noticeable. The dropping of a decade old masseur can appear shocking but it is part of a larger game plan where no position is permanent and all posts are analyzed for effect. With big ticket tournaments scheduled the success of these backroom tactics will be watched keenly not only by the supporters but also by cricket analysts who know the extent of work done in the background to contribute to on field performances.

Ultimately, Rajeev Kumar's departure is indicative of the way Indian cricket is changing under fresh leadership. It is a reminder that the sport is not merely about players and matches but also about people who labor silently behind the scenes. Their work may not be seen but it is immensely important. Whereas one chapter has closed on Rajeev a new one has opened for the Indian team's new support staff whose job is to assist the players to remain at their best and bring glory to the nation.