In a quiet corner of Himachal Pradesh, in a small town called Nahan, a young boy once dreamt of playing cricket like the heroes he watched on television. Today, that boy—Rajesh Chauhan—may not be in the spotlight wearing the jersey, but he’s just as important to the game. He’s the man behind the scenes, helping international cricket players stay fit, stay focused, and perform at their best.
From the dusty playgrounds of Nahan to dugouts across Zimbabwe, Singapore, and Afghanistan, Rajesh’s journey as a cricket trainer has been nothing short of inspiring. It’s a story of passion, perseverance, and quietly chasing a dream—even if it means standing just outside the boundary line.
Rajesh started playing cricket when he was just a teenager. “Like any other kid growing up in India, cricket was everything,” he says. He played locally, even reached the reserves of the Ranji Trophy team in 2005. But somewhere along the way, he realised that making it big as a player might not happen.
“That’s when I started thinking—if not as a player, how else can I stay involved in the game I love?”
He moved to Dubai for work in his early twenties, where he got a job in a sports management company. It was there that a mentor asked him if he wanted to return to cricket. That question changed everything. He went on to complete a trainer course from the BCCI and later did a Level 1 certification from Australia. Slowly, step by step, he built his way back into the cricket world—not with a bat in hand, but with knowledge, skill, and a deep understanding of what cricketers need to perform.
Rajesh’s first big assignment came in 2013 when he was offered a chance to work with the Zimbabwe national team during a series against India. “That was a huge moment for me,” he recalls. “One day you’re sitting at home, and the next you’re in the dugout with an international team.”
From there, the doors began to open. Over the years, he has worked with Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, Kerala’s state team, India Blue, and even in the IPL with Rajasthan Royals. Each team brought different challenges and learning experiences, but one stint that stood out for Rajesh was with Afghanistan cricket.
Afghanistan: Like Family, Like Home
For Rajesh Chauhan, Afghanistan wasn’t just another stop in his professional journey—it became something far more personal. When he talks about his time there, it’s not with the usual detachment of someone listing job experiences. There’s warmth in his words, a sense of belonging. “It felt like home,” he says, pausing as if replaying old memories. “Not because life was easy—far from it—but because of the people. The way they treated me, the way they welcomed me… it was different.”
Rajesh first arrived in Afghanistan to work with the national cricket setup, but his work quickly expanded beyond that. While he trained international players, he also spent time at the grassroots—working with young, often raw talents, helping them understand their bodies, improve their fitness, and prepare for a level of cricket they had only seen on television.
It wasn’t always smooth, but none of that mattered as much to Rajesh as the attitude of the players. “These boys… they’re something else,” he says. “There’s no drama, no star behaviour. Whether it was a net session or a recovery run, they gave it everything. They showed up early, stayed late, and soaked in every word.”
Among the players he worked with were some of Afghanistan’s best-known names—Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rashid Khan, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Ibrahim Zadran. He helped many of them through injury recoveries, strengthening programs, and off-season conditioning. But to him, they were never ‘stars’. “With them, it was never about how big their name was. They were just boys from small towns with fire in their bellies. They didn’t take success for granted. They respected the work, respected the people around them.”
What left the deepest impression on Rajesh, though, was the bond he built with the players and support staff. It never felt like a job. It felt like being part of a tight-knit group, where nobody was above anyone else. “There was no hierarchy, no one trying to show off. You’d travel together, have long chats during road journeys, eat meals sitting on the floor, share silly jokes—just like you would with close friends. Even during intense training camps, there was always a sense of brotherhood.”
And then there was the hospitality—something he still finds hard to explain to people who haven’t been there. “Afghans have this incredible warmth. Once they know you’re from India, the connection becomes immediate. I remember walking into a small shop one day to buy something. The shopkeeper asked where I was from. When I said India, he smiled and said, ‘Then you are my brother. You don’t need to pay.’ He absolutely refused to take money. That’s how deep their feelings for Indians run. It’s not forced—it’s real.”
Even outside cricket, the experience shaped him. Living in Afghanistan—especially during times when the country was going through political unrest and daily life was unpredictable—gave him a whole new lens on the world. “You see people living through so much uncertainty, with limited resources, and still smiling. Still showing kindness. Still going out of their way to help others. It humbles you.”
He pauses again before adding, “It taught me to slow down. To value the basics. Food on the table, people who care, a safe place to sleep. The kind of lessons you don’t learn in a classroom or a training course.”
For Rajesh, Afghanistan wasn’t just a chapter in his career—it was a turning point in his life. A place that challenged him, embraced him, and reminded him of what truly matters.
Life as a Trainer: The Other Side of Cricket
While fans cheer from the stands and cameras follow the players, trainers like Rajesh are the quiet backbone of the team. Their job starts early in the morning and often ends late at night, making sure players are fit, focused, and ready for the match.
“It’s not just physical training,” he explains. “You also become a mental support for the players. You guide them, motivate them, and sometimes just listen when they need to talk.”
Rajesh admits the job isn’t easy. There are sacrifices. “You don’t get to attend weddings, birthdays, or even catch up with friends. You’re always traveling. Your personal life takes a back seat. But when you see your work helping someone succeed on the field, it feels worth it.”
Rajesh has worked with a wide range of teams—from young, developing squads like Singapore to professional setups like Rajasthan Royals. “With teams like Singapore, you need to teach them the basics—how to train, how to eat, how to recover. With big teams, the players already know all that. There, your job is to support them, help fine-tune their routine, and bring small improvements.”
Despite the differences, Rajesh says the key is to treat every player with the same respect. “Whether someone is a star player or a newcomer, you have to be consistent. You can’t behave differently based on someone’s fame. That’s how you earn trust.”
Handling Pressure in a Game of High Stakes
Cricket, especially at the international level, is full of pressure. One bad game and the fans, media, and even sponsors can turn against a player. But Rajesh believes that pressure mostly comes from within.
“Overthinking is the biggest enemy,” he says. “When players are young, they play for the love of the game. But when money, fame, and expectations come in, the mind gets crowded. That’s when pressure builds.”
His advice? “Keep your thoughts clear. Stay connected to why you started playing in the first place. And don’t hesitate to talk to someone. Many top players have mentors or mental coaches. It makes a huge difference.”
For the Next Generation
For youngsters dreaming of making it in cricket, Rajesh has a simple message: “If this is your dream, go for it. But know that it’s not easy. You need to work harder than everyone else. And be smart—if you can’t become a player, think about becoming a coach, a physio, a trainer. There are many ways to be part of the game.”
He also reminds young people that this path comes with sacrifices. “You’ll miss things, you’ll be tested, and you’ll have to make tough choices. But if you really love cricket, it’ll all be worth it.”
Still Going Strong
Today, Rajesh is working with the Singapore national team, helping them build a stronger fitness culture and compete more confidently on the international stage. “It’s a new challenge, and that’s what keeps me going,” he says. “My goal now is to make Singapore a stronger cricketing nation. Singapore cricket is going through a big transition, with serious efforts being made to raise the overall standard and build a proper high-performance system.”
From a small-town boy in Nahan to helping shape the future of cricket in countries across the world, Rajesh Chauhan’s journey is proof that passion, grit, and a little self-belief can take you anywhere.
He may never have worn the Indian jersey, but in many ways, he’s still playing for the team—just from a different place on the field.