Although most fans only see names like Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar getting a lot of attention, many people are also busy behind the scenes.
One of the most important people at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp is Navnita Gautam. The former physiotherapist made history by being the first woman to be a part of an IPL support staff.
She joined RCB back in 2019 as a sports massage therapist and her inclusion was significant in a league predominantly manned by men support staff. Navnita, works closely with the team physiotherapists and strength trainers to get players back to fitness and form quickly throughout the lengthy tournament.
Solid Global Background of Navnita
Born in Vancouver, Canada, Navnita Gautam is a trained athletic therapist and has vast experience in multiple sports and countries. Prior to her stint in the IPL, she worked for the Toronto Nationals in the Global T20 Canada league and was also part of the setup of the Indian women's basketball team during the Asia Cup. Besides that she has also worked in professional golf in both Asia and Europe.
This has helped her adapt to the rapid-fire demanding environment of the IPL where she is primarily involved in the players' recovery, injury management and overall fitness during the course of the season.
Navnita's Role Inside RCB setup
Navnita plays a crucial role in the entire setup of RCB. She takes care of the recovery sessions, the massages of the players and the general physical stress the players undergo after a game. In a game where there is constant traveling and tight schedule, recovery plays a part just like performance does.
For the fitness and energy-dependent players such as Kohli, her role has become very significant. Her methods of therapy are widely acknowledged to help players recover at the quickest rate possible and continue their preparation for the next match. Over time, she has also gained the trust of the players as well as the support staff.
Even being the only female member of the setup, she never hesitated and concentrated only on her work. It is also noted that her performance and attitude in the setup have earned her utmost respect from everyone. She has often expressed that the atmosphere is comfortable and the only thing that matters is her work.
Growth and Recognition
Navnita's performance and impact did not go unnoticed. When the Women's Premier League commenced in 2023, she was assigned a larger role in the women's team by RCB. She was appointed as the Head Athletic Therapist of the women's team working alongside the star players such as Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry.
The franchise relies on her for duties in both men's and women's team which signifies her level of trust with them. Beyond her role in the team, she has been visible in many occasions on camera including a brief moment with Kyle Jamieson during a game which went viral on social media.
However, despite all the spotlight that she is currently receiving, she has maintained her focus on the job in hand. Her journey has truly been inspiring, representing the important role the support staff plays in modern-day cricket. Navnita Gautam is not only a member of the RCB setup, but the reason players remain fit and perform consistently throughout a prolonged and demanding season.