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When it comes to discussing cricket players, everyone knows the major players involved. Even those with only a passing interest in the cricket will tell you that there’s a coach who is in charge of picking the best XI. But what about the other backroom staff of Indian cricket team?
As the game evolved over the decades, it became more competitive and thus, more demanding. Playing well alone wasn’t enough anymore. Cricketers had to be consistently fit and ever ready – both physically and mentally. Thus rose the importance of various experts specialized in handling a particular aspect of the player’s game. their role is equally important along with the player’s performances. Who are the men who have provided arguably the best and most specialised preparations for Indian team? Let us meet the backroom staff of Indian cricket team.
Ravi Shastri (Head coach)
The role of a head coach is not so much about preparing the players technically. It is more than a man-management and getting the best out of each individual. Ravi Shastri, the former Indian cricketer and famous commentators currently sits as the head coach of Indian cricket team. Ravi Shastri was the interim coach in 2007 and served as the team director from 2014-2016. Under his reign, India reached the semi-finals of global events – 2015 World Cup and 2016 World T20.
Ravi Shastri was appointed as the head coach of the Indian cricket team in July 2017. He took over the charge from from Anil Kumble. Shastri, is known for his deep reading of the game. Under his coaching, India has performed well especially in sub-continent. Along with Shastri, India has equipped with separate, bowling and fielding coaches. This not only helps move the pressure off the shoulders of a single man but also brings new standpoints and expertise from others who are well-trained in their respective fields.
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Sanjay Bangar (Assistant coach)
The Maharashtra born cricketer has only played 12 Tests and 15 ODIs. His career ended long back. Form may have failed him but the class and intelligence remained. Sanjay was head coach of IPL team Kings XI Punjab in 2014. In the same year, India was humbled by England in a series defeat. Thus, BCCI appointed him as an assistant coach. Not only he has improved the performance of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, he also worked hugely hard on improving the batting of our tail-enders.
He was there when Anil Kumble came in, he was there when Ravi Shastri took over and he even became head coach for short. There were debates over the staff and their roles but Bangar’s position never made any headlines. To sum up, this calm and composed man has seen all and knows each and every player of the roaster.
Bharat Arun (Bowling coach)
We bet only hardcore cricket fans may know this name. Bharat Arun was appointed as the bowling coach for India for England series in 2014. He was relieved and was appointed again for a second stint in July 2017.
Bharat was the Guru of the India’s under-19 World Cup in 2012 and has coached Tamil Nadu, Bengal in the domestic circuit. He is masterminding what are clearly the budding stages of the golden era of Indian fast bowling. The coach has delivered and nurtured bunch of exciting prospects for Indian team. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya; aren’t these names enough? Arun’s experience level and knowledge are more than enough to persuade any young gun that he can help them become better cricketers.
R Sridhar (Fielding coach)
Ramakrishnan Sridhar, in his 11-year domestic career, played 35 first class games and 15 List A games. He was first selected as the fielding coach during the England tour in 2014 and kept his duty till the end of 2016 World T20. He was re-appointed for the same role just before the start of the series against New Zealand in the same year. The former first-class cricketer from Hyderabad has received praises around the world from cric experts. Sridhar has played an important role in evolving India as one of the best fielding team in the world.
Patrick Farhart (Physiotherapist)
Given the exhausting action cricketers go through on the field day in and day out, physiotherapists play vital role in a team. Be it a pulled calf or a shoulder injury, physios are crucial as they run onto the field with their kits to provide relief to the players. You must have seen this man on regular intervals with his kit running around the ground or having discussions with the players.
He is Patrick Farhart, physiotherapist of Indian cricket team. The Australian international is with the team from 2015. He is a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy (1986) and Master of Sports Physiotherapy (2000). Farhat has been in the field for more than twenty years. Only few of you may know, Patrick Farhat has also worked with Australian football and rugby teams. He is a familiar face in India now as he was a physio for IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab.
Shankar Basu (Fitness trainer)
Shankar Basu was associated with National Cricket Academy and later joined IPL club Royal Challengers Bangalore as a fitness trainer. He was appointed as fitness trainer due to the continuous demand of skipper Virat Kohli of having him on board.
Basu’s journey began in track and field. He was an excellent sprinter. He progressively strengthened his regime by training for a longer distance. But to his results took a reverse hit. This blessing in disguise set up his career as a coach. He started to study cricketers and noticed the aimless jogging, inappropriate training. He joined RCB and currently he is doing a remarkable job for men in blue.
Raghu Srinivasan (Assistant trainer/Special thrower)
One can see Raghu in practice session of India. The team has found a great efficacy in the services of special thrower and assistant trainer Raghu Srinivasan. He is the one who provides ample batting practice against pace bowling in stimulated surroundings. Raghu has joined Indian squad in 2011 when India went to Australia. Even KL Rahul once said, “Raghu has been somebody who has been a second coach to me. He was there in the NCA since my Under 15 days and he used to call me for training. He helped me groom and get better as a player”.
Sunil Subramaniam (Team Manager)
Sunil Subramaniam is a former Indian first-class cricketer. He currently works as a team manager for Indian Cricket Team. The left-arm spinner plied his trade with Tamil Nadu and bagged 285 wickets in 74 first class matches. He came close to donning the international cap but failed. Now, he wears the round cap and is working as a team manager where he closely interacts with the skipper and the coach.
Rajiv Kumar and Arun Kanade works as massage therapist whereas Ashish Tuli is a video analyst. Rishikesh Upadhyaya is a logistics manager at Indian cricket team. On the other side, Raghavindraa Dvgi works as am Assistant Manager – Training and Logistics.
