RCB create IPL history, become first team to appoint woman in support staff

The appointment of Navnita Gautam as the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) massage therapist will make the Bangalore franchise the first in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to appoint a woman as a part of their support staff. She will work alongside South African Evan Speechly, the head physiotherapist, and Shanker Basu, the strength & conditioning coach.

"Navnita will be working with Evan Speechly, the Head Physiotherapist and Shankar Basu, Strength & Conditioning Coach to identify, evaluate, provide guidance and implement massage therapy to suit the team and any relevant prevailing conditions," a media release issued by RCB on Thursday read.

Her role would include performing specialized techniques concerned with the preparation, motivation, overall supervision and all individual physical ailments relating to the team.

"I am very pleased to be a part of this moment in history and another step in the right direction," said RCB chairman, Sanjeev Churiwala to Cricbuzz. "The game has come a long way, in many ways, in terms of the Women's Cricket Team and how many people are watching it, the interest was long due.

"Sport is a great enabler, but it is important to ensure that the principles of equity in participation also extends to its staffing bodies. Increasing participation and success by women in all sporting arenas have made this possible and we at RCB are very thrilled to have found great talent in Navnita," he added.