Indian cricket’s healing hands: How Rajeev Kumar and his village gave 50 masseurs to Indian cricket

Former Indian men’s team all-rounder Rajeev Kumar with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after India won the 2024 T20 World Cup. (Special Arrangement) New Delhi: In 2002, when Rajeev Kumar came to Delhi, his only goal was to earn a stable income. Armed with a diploma in massage therapy from Jodhpur University, he took up his first job earning just Rs 100 a month. Almost a quarter of a century later, he has traveled the world alongside some of the greatest cricketers of his generation. But the journey was anything but easy. Before becoming one of the most trusted members of Indian cricket’s support staff, Rajeev spent years traveling in overcrowded buses in Delhi, walking miles to save money and wondering if his dream would ever come true.“When I first came to Delhi, everything was overwhelming,” Rajeev tells TimesofIndia.com from Southampton, where he works with Southern Brave.“I traveled by bus, walked long distances and struggled for three to four years. At that time, I never imagined that one day I would be working with the Indian cricket team and traveling the world.”Those early years tested every bit of his determination.

After coming to Delhi, I traveled by bus, walked long distances and struggled for three to four years. At that time, I never imagined that one day I would be working with the Indian cricket team and traveling the world

Rajeev Kumar

Rajeev Kumar with Rohit Sharma after India’s 2025 Champions Trophy triumph. (Special arrangement)

He didn’t have a cell phone. Someone ended up buying him a Nokia 1100 because he couldn’t afford it himself. His first earnings were just Rs.100. Steady work remained elusive for nearly five years, but he refused to give up.In 2004, Dr Choudhary introduced him to Ashish Nehra, who used to come to the clinic in Greater Kailash for his massage sessions. It opened the door to the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) for Rajeev, who then spent nearly a decade with the Ranji Trophy team in Delhi, quietly building a reputation for his work ethic and professionalism.When the Indian Premier League (IPL) was launched in 2008, he joined Delhi Daredevils from the inaugural season. Assignments in the ISL, Pro Kabaddi and hockey followed before the biggest break of his career came in 2016 when he was part of the Indian team during the T20 World Cup.

About 50 boys and girls from my village entered this profession. Some work in IPL, some with Ranji teams, some in Indian team while others are into Yoga and Ayurveda.

Rajeev Kumar

What previously seemed impossible has become a reality. Today, Rajeev measures success differently.“Around 50 boys and girls from my village have entered this profession,” he says proudly. “Some work in the IPL, some with Ranji teams, some in the Indian team, while others do yoga and Ayurveda.For someone who once struggled to make it, becoming an inspiration at home means more than any medal.

Rajeev Kumar with Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli after India won the 2025 Champions Trophy. (Special arrangement)

“When people from my village meet me and say they are proud, it’s a wonderful feeling. They ask me to help more young people enter this profession. If I can create opportunities for them, it’s a blessing.”The man who opened all doorsIf Rajeev credits one cricketer for transforming his career, it is Ashish Nehra.Their association began when Nehra was recovering from an injury. Rajeev spent hours tending to the pacemaker in his left arm, often on the terrace of his house, as Nehra preferred sitting in the sun.

Whatever I am today, Ashish Nehra has played the biggest role. He opened all important doors for me in my career. “Whatever I am today, Ashish Nehra played the biggest role. He opened all important doors for me in my career,” he says.

Rajeev Kumar

“When he came back to the Indian team, he never forgot me,” says Rajeev. “He helped me get opportunities during the 2009 IPL in South Africa and later recommended me for other assignments. I will always be grateful.”This loyalty became the foundation of a career that eventually took him to the Indian dressing room. It was Nehra who introduced Rajeev to former Indian captain MS Dhoni in 2015 and within a year, Rajeev was in the dressing room of the Indian men’s team.

Indian cricket team after watching the movie in the theater. (Special arrangement)

Trusted championsOver the next eight years, Rajeev worked alongside four Indian captains and witnessed some of the defining moments of modern Indian cricket. Each leader left a different impression.MS Dhoni’s composure as a rookie immediately eased his nerves. The former captain regularly invited him to breakfast or dinner and made sure every member of the support staff felt valued.

Take the strain Rajeev bhai. Just keep calm and come. If you need anything, my room is open.’ Mahi bhai took me for dinner that day

Rajeev Kumar on his first interview with MS Dhoni

“On my first day, bhai checked me. He said, ‘Don’t stress Rajeev bhai. Just keep calm and work. If you need anything, my room is open.’ Mahi bhai took me out for dinner that day,” he recalls.Virat Kohli impressed him with an obsession that bordered on relentlessness.“I know Virat from his days in Delhi,” says Rajeev. “His transformation was incredible. He completely changed his lifestyle and inspired everyone around him.”

Holi Celebration in the Indian Dressing Room (Special Arrangements)

He still remembers Kohli playing through the personal grief of his father’s death, a memory that continues to define a batsman’s mental strength in Rajeev’s eyes.“What a knock he played that day. We all in that dressing room knew we were witnessing something special and it was just the start of a great career,” he says.“Under Virat, the fitness of the Indian team went up a notch. He pushed everyone. Fitness was everything for him. He was relentless. He worked so hard. I was surprised when he became a vegan because the Virat I know loved his food. I just want to take my hat off to that great man. What he has done for Indian cricket is something I can’t explain in words,” he adds.

I was surprised when he went vegan because the Virat I know loved his food.

Rajeev Kumar on Virat Kohli

Then came Rohit Sharma, whose leadership style revolved around empathy.“He talks to every member of the support staff, asks about our families and always makes everyone feel included. Even in this year’s IPL he met and the first question he asked was about my family.”Then came young captain Shubman Gill, whose majestic form helped India pull out the five-match Test series in England in 2025. It was also Rajeev’s last series with the Indian team.

Rajeev Kumar with Shubman Gill (special arrangement)

“A very nice boy with a very good head on his shoulders. He has the best of Mahi bhai, Virat and Rohit. He has only shown glimpses of his excellent leadership skills. He will take Indian cricket to greater heights,” says Rajeev.For Rajeev, these qualities mattered as much as tactical acumen.More than just cricketLife in the Indian dressing room was built on relationships that transcended the boundary rope.During the Covid-19 pandemic, Rajeev’s younger son became seriously ill. What followed remains one of the most emotional chapters of his career.

The entire Indian team stood by me during Covid. The players kept calling and asking about my family and even offered me financial support. I can never forget that.

Rajeev Kumar

“The whole Indian team stood by me,” he says. “The players kept calling me and asking about my family and even offered me financial support. I’ll never forget that.”These gestures reinforced what he already believed about the group he had served for years.Heartbreak before redemptionRajeev experienced cricket’s cruelest moments at close range. He remembers the devastation after India’s semi-final exit in the T20 World Cup in 2016. But nothing compared to the silence in the dressing room after the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad.“Everyone was emotional. It was my first time in the team and I felt so bad. Everyone’s face is gone (Everyone was so down)’ he recalls.

Then that night in Ahmedabad. I want to erase the memories of November 19th.

Rajeev Kumar

“Then that night in Ahmedabad. Agar mera bas chale toh mai November 19 ko hata do (I want to erase the memories of November 19). It was heartbreaking for the dressing room.”He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit after the defeat offered words of encouragement when the squad needed them most.Twelve months later redemption came.As South Africa shut down during the 2024 T20 World Cup final, Rajeev admits there was little he could do except pray.“When they needed about 30 runs towards the end, I sat quietly near the boundary and prayed for a miracle. Oh god, not anymore (Please God, not again).

Rajeev Kumar (far right) holding the Indian flag after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados. (Special arrangements)

The miracle has arrived. India became world champions.“For me, it was like years of hard work had finally paid off.”Familiar faces on the massage tableAway from the spotlight, the locker room also had its lighter moments.Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav were among the regulars seeking treatment, but Kuldeep stood out.

We joked that Kuldeep deserved the award because he probably got the most massages.

Rajeev Kumar

“We used to joke that Kuldeep deserved the award because he probably had the most massages,” Rajeev says with a laugh.His bond with Rishabh Pant was equally special. When Pant had a horrific car accident, Rajeev rushed to the Hanuman temple with his family to offer prayers.

Rajeev Kumar with Rishabh Pant (special arrangement)

“Looking at the accident, we feared the worst,” he says. “Thankfully, he has recovered. He is a wonderful person who is always helping others.”A journey worth celebratingRajeev Kumar’s story is not just about working alongside cricket’s biggest stars.It’s about a young man from a small village who arrived in Delhi with next to nothing, endured years of uncertainty, embraced education when sports science was still finding its feet in Indian cricket, and quietly became one of the most trusted figures behind the scenes.

Rajeev Kumar with KL Rahul (Special Arrangement)

His hands helped players recover, but his own journey was built on resilience, humility and gratitude.From earning Rs 100 to celebrating his World Cup triumph on the biggest stage, Rajeev Kumar’s greatest achievement may not be the medals he has collected along the way. It proves that even the quietest paths can leave the loudest impact.