When observing the backroom staff that forms the backbone of Team India’s cricket establishment, one can’t help but marvel at the cornucopia of expertise and background diversity brought to the fore. Paras Mhambrey, the team’s 51-year-old Bowling Coach, is a central figure in the team’s strategic framework. A long-time associate of Head Coach Rahul Dravid right from their India U-19 and India A days, Mhambrey’s deep insights into coaching have seen him shepherd teams such as Maharashtra, Bengal, and Vidarbha, while also contributing significantly to the National Cricket Academy.
As someone who fundamentally understands the significance of adaptability, Mhambrey has enabled the pace pack to thrive under his tutelage by championing autonomy in their playing approach. He played an instrumental role during the transitional phase of India’s attack in Test matches and T20 Internationals. His finger is always on the pulse of modern coaching techniques, deftly blending data analytics with traditional coaching methods. In fact, Mhambrey communicates vital information with players straight to their mobile dashboards, eschewing prolonged team meetings. The five-bowlers strategy remains a steadfast principle in his game plan, carried forward from his predecessor Bharat Arun.
Recently, facing the World Cup without star pacer Jasprit Bumrah due to injury, it was Mhambrey who advocated for Mohammed Shami’s inclusion in the squad—despite Shami’s relative absence from recent ODI play. His influence and foresight represent the kind of innovative thinking capable of tipping the scales in crunch situations.
Vikram Rathour, the Batting Coach, is another fixture who’s stayed steadfast with the team from times preceding the Shastri era. The 54-year-old, not the most naturally gifted batsman himself during his playing career, has demonstrated a strategic acumen focused on batting aggression. His philosophy has finally come to global attention at this iteration of the World Cup, where India’s hitting prowess became glaringly apparent.
Rathour’s past includes stints coaching domestic teams like Punjab and Himachal and serving as a national selector during Virat Kohli’s captaincy. At the forefront of training sessions, he is a staunch advocate of giving batsmen liberty to express themselves. His proclivity for individualized coaching sessions, combined with minimal technique adjustments, has been beneficial to players such as Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer.
The Fielding Coach T Dilip, a former math teacher with no professional cricketing pedigree, has, against the odds, established himself as a highly respected coach. Initially engaging with grassroots-level cricket in Hyderabad, his journey took a significant leap upon joining the defunct IPL franchise Deccan Chargers. There, he worked alongside well-regarded baseball coach Mike Young. At the NCA, under the tutelage of R Sridhar, Dilip sharpened his coaching skills, while subsidizing his education with math tutoring. His innovative techniques have won him plaudits, particularly for his work with KL Rahul, transforming him into a proficient wicketkeeper.
Strength and Conditioning Coach Soham Desai, an ardent mountaineer and previous Gujarat Ranji team staff member, has been vital in revamping the S&C program at the NCA. Upon Nick Webb’s departure, Desai assumed the leading role and has been at the helm ever since the 2021 T20 World Cup.
S Rajnikanth, renowned within the circles as the Rehab Master, has risen to popularity due to his adept rehabilitation methods. His rapport with players like Bumrah and Pandya has led to him being actively sought out for their return to peak physical condition. Having a recent association with the NCA, Rajnikanth was specifically brought into the national team to oversee the recovery of key players gearing up for the World Cup.
A further peek into the support staff reveals Hari Prasad Mohan, the Video, and Data Analyst whose expertise transformed him from an IT engineer and former cricketer to an integral component of the team’s analytical apparatus. His meticulous work provides actionable insights into opponents’ strengths and weaknesses.
The diverse entourage of supporting professionals extends to Logistics Manager Rishikesh Upadhyaya, known for managing travel, equipment, and even players’ families with remarkable efficiency. Masseurs Arun Kanade and Rajeev Kumar, whose crucial efforts in relieving muscle aches and pains, can’t go understated.
The media team, comprising tennis enthusiast Anand Subramaniam and former sports journalist Moulin Parikh, is responsible for churning out social media content and ensuring smooth press operations. Sports medicine expert Dr. Rizwan Khan, having a notable stint with the UAE team at the London Olympics, provides medical excellence.
Meanwhile, figures like Amit Siddeshwar, the Liaison Officer, ensure all logistical aspects of stay and food are perfectly organized, while physios Kamlesh Jain and Yogesh Parmar diligently work to maintain player fitness and manage their workloads. Security & Integrity components Vipul Yadav and Dinesh Chahal diligently safeguard the team against potential off-field hazards.
The role of throwdown specialists cannot be understated, with veterans like Raghavindraa Dvgi, Nuwan Seneviratne, and Dayananda Garani offering their exceptional skills to aid batsmen in facing varied styles of bowling. Each member, with their own unique backstory – from former maths tutors to ex-bus drivers – play an intrinsic role in fortifying Team India’s push for Cricketing excellence, both on and off the field.