T20 World Cup 2022: India's backroom staff outnumbers main squad with 16 members

Team India's T20 World Cup-bound contingent has already landed Down Under and are hoping to end their nine-year wait for an ICC trophy by clinching their second T20 World Cup title. The 30-member squad includes 16 backroom staffs, along with 14 players, with a replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah still to be named. While the fans are familiar with the players donning the iconic blue jersey, we look at the combatants who do their job away from the glitz and glamor of a camera lens. 

First up we list the personnel who are in charge of improving and enhancing the performance of the players on the field; The coaching staff. The Indian coaching staff for the impending ICC tournament comprises 16 members, who are:

Rahul Dravid (Head Coach)

The man in charge of handling an exciting group of players, Rahul Dravid's appointment as the head coach was a question of when and not if. He took over the reins from Ravi Shastri, and the former Indian skipper heads to his first major ICC tournament, donning the coaching hat.

Vikram Rathour (Batting coach)

A former Indian opener who is helping the current crop of Indian players with their batting, Vikram Rathour shares an amicable bond with his players. He is responsible for amending minor tweaks to the team's batting with the help of other technical analysts.

Paras Mhambrey (Bowling coach)

Rahul Dravid's right-hand man and his most trusted colleague, Paras Mhambrey has been working alongside the former Indian skipper since 2016. He has worked in the Indian domestic circuit and also in the IPL with Mumbai Indians.

T Dilip (Fielding coach)

The most inexperienced member of the coaching staff, T Dilip has worked with Hyderabad's Ranji side and the India A team. He joined the national team after Rahul Dravid took over the coaching role.

Arun Kanade (Masseuse)

One of the most important parts of the Indian juggernaut, Arun Kanade is responsible for making sure the players, especially the fast bowlers are relaxed heading into any game to avoid injuries. He has previously worked with Royal Challengers Bangalore and is part of the Indian contingent for the last five years.

Hari Mohan (Team video analyst)

The importance of video analysts has grown considerably over the last decade and Hari Mohan is the man to provide all the data and stats to help the team on the field. His assessment provides India with vital input before heading into a match.

Dayanand Garani (Throwdown professional)

Dayanand Garani got the opportunity to work with the Indian team after the regular Throwdown specialist Raghu tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the Australia tour in 2020. He has previously worked with KXIP in the IPL and the Andhra Ranji team.

Nuwan Seneviratne (Throwdown specialist)

Sri Lanka's Nuwan Seneviratne, who worked as a fielding coach for the Sri Lankan national for a decade, was roped in as a throwdown specialist in 2018 to help the Indian batters combat the threat of left-arm pacers, Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan. The 42-year-old will continue his services heading into the T20 World Cup.

Dr. Charles Minz (Team Doctor)

Dr. Charles Minz, a Pune-based general physician has worked as a consultant with several sports franchises like IPL’s Pune Super Giants, Puneri Paltan in the Pro Kabaddi League, and Pune FC in Indian Super League. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured his services in 2020, and he was tasked with maintaining a healthy bio-bubble during the IPL.

Soham Desai (Strength coach)

India's strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai is responsible for ensuring the fitness levels of the Indian players before they take to the field. He guides the players through different fitness drills along with planning a diet for them. 

Paddy Upton (Mental coach)

Paddy Upton was a crucial part of the Indian team that lifted the 2011 World Cup. After leaving the Indian camp, Upton worked as the performance director of South Africa’s men’s squad for three years. He has been reunited with Rahul Dravid for the T20 World Cup after working with the Indian legend for Rajasthan Royals.

Rajlaxmi Arora (Producer – BCCI media)

Rajlaxmi Arora plays an important role in strengthening the bond between the Indian players and the fans since she is in charge of arranging interviews with the Indian players before a tour or a series. In 2019 she was appointed as the head of the BCCI’s internal complaints committee that dealt with issues like sexual harassment.

Kamlesh Jain (Head Physiotherapist)

Another important cog in the Indian wheel, Kamlesh Jain is responsible for looking after the well-being of the Indian players. He assesses the fitness levels of the players before allowing them to take part in a match. He also helps them shrug off minor issues sustained during the matches.

Yogesh Parmar (Assisant Physio)

Yogesh Parmar is the go-to man for Kamlesh Jain as he works closely with the players, maintaining their healthy state. He keeps tabs on the fitness level of the players and is the first to look after the injuries of the players along with monitoring the progress of the recuperating players in the squad.

Moulin Parikh (Media Manager)

Moulin Parikh's role as a Media Manager is to work along with broadcasters and coordinate the interviews of the Indian players. A former journalist by trade, Moulin informs the broadcaster and media outlets regarding the designated players to be interviewed in the pre or post-match conferences.

Ravindra Doiphode (Security Liaison Officer)

Probably the most important role in any team, Ravindra Doiphode ensures the safety of the players as a Security Liaison Officer. He is always on the lookout for suspicious elements and also keeps an eye out for any illegal approaches toward the players concerning fixing or compromising the integrity of the game. Doiphode, a retired ACP of the Mumbai Police is the perfect man for the job.