Rajeev Kumar was the chief messer of Team India for a long time.Image Credit source: Instagram
Cricket has changed the lives of many people in this country. Not only the cricketers who displayed their abilities on the field or the coaches who taught them, but the lives of every person associated with it have changed for the better. But there are many such people who not only change the picture of themselves but also of their neighborhood and their village. There would hardly be a better story than that of Rajeev Kumar, the masseur (massage expert) who has been in Team India for a long time.
In the year 2025, BCCI did not renew the contract of Team India with Rajiv Kumar. In this way his almost 9 year long journey with Team India ended. But whatever Rajiv did in these 9 years was no less than an inspiration. In fact, even before joining Team India, Rajiv Kumar had started making a name for himself, seeing which other youth of his village also chose the path of massage and made it their career.
Nehra opened doors, also entered Team India
In an interview given to Times of India, Rajiv Kumar told that after completing diploma in massage therapy from Jodhpur University of Rajasthan, when he came to Delhi, he had to struggle a lot for a few years. But in 2004, when he met Ashish Nehra, his life started changing. Nehra got him a place in the Delhi Ranji Trophy team and then he remained the messmaster of this team for the next few years. From here gradually, doors started opening for him and then he got work from IPL to ISL and Pro-Kabaddi League also.
This was the time in 2015 when Nehra introduced him for the first time to MS Dhoni who was then the captain of Team India. Then in 2016, he entered Team India and he remained associated with the team for the next several years. Rajeev Kumar always thanks Nehra for his journey. In this interview, Rajiv said, “Whatever I am today, Ashish Nehra has played the biggest role in it. Nehra opened every important door for my career. Even in the 2009 IPL, he recommended me at many places and I got a lot of work.”
Village children also became Mysore
Rajeev Kumar, who was once struggling financially, is now in a much better position on this front. But still the biggest happiness for him is that his success has also inspired the youth of his village. Rajiv says, “About 50 boys and girls from my village have come into this profession. Some are working in Ranji teams, some in IPL and some have got opportunities in Indian teams. Some are progressing in Yoga and Ayurveda.”
After separation from Team India, Rajeev is currently busy with franchise teams. These days he is in England, where he is providing his services for ‘The Hundred’ franchise Southern Brave. Rajeev Kumar, who at one time started traveling standing amidst the crowd in Delhi buses and earning only Rs 100 per month, has now traveled the whole world. He has worked with such players, for whose glimpse millions of people are desperate.
