Three new members added to India team's support staff

Physiotherapist Nitin Patel with Virat Kohli

The Indian cricket team support staff is set to wear a new look starting with August's three-Test series in Sri Lanka, with three new members having been given one-year contracts.

Australian physiotherapist Patrick Farhart will replace Nitin Patel, who had recently resigned due to personal reasons. Patel, one of the longest-serving support staff members of the national team, had joined the team in 2007.

Farhart has three decades of professional experience in major rugby and football teams in Australia, as well as a recent stint with IPL outfit Kings XI Punjab. Farhart has also been associated with IPL franchise Mumbai Indians.

New trainer and masseur

Shankar Basu will join as conditioning expert/trainer, replacing VP Sudarshan, who has preferred to be stationed at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. Basu is currently the Royal Challengers Bangalore trainer.

Basu also runs the Primal Patterns Holistic Fitness Studio in Chennai where his clientele include squash players Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal among other athletes.

Masseur Arun Kanade, also part of the RCB backroom, was added to the squad on the Zimbabwe tour itself, the person who is thought to being groomed as replacement for veteran and popular Ramesh Mane, an integral part of the India entourage for the last decade.

With the Indian team set to reach Sri Lanka ten days before the first Test, which is starting on August 12, the new physiotherapist and trainer will get enough time to get acquainted with all the players.