Mohammed Siraj pens emotional goodbye message after Indian team support staff confirms departure
Mohammed Siraj with Soham Desai.
New Delhi: Indian cricket team strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai resigned from his position on May 31. Desai, who served the team since Ravi Shastri's tenure as coach, announced his departure in a statement.
Following India's poor performance in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, several support staff members were dismissed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. In an Instagram post, one departing staff member, Desai, expressed gratitude to the team management and highlighted his contributions to the team's past successes.
Despite India's victory in the 2025 Champions Trophy, several employees were dismissed at the conclusion of their contracts.
After joining the Kolkata Knight Riders during the 2025 Indian Premier League season, India's assistant coach, Desai, has resigned from his position with the team.
'What an honour and privilege it's been to serve Indian Cricket over the years. From day one, the vision was crystal clear — break mental barriers, chase global excellence, stay true to my values, never fear failure. Keep showing up, no matter what,' Soham Desai wrote on Instagram.
'Forever grateful to @ravishastriofficial and @virat.kohli for backing a 29-year-old coming onto the world stage with a dream. To #RahulDravid and @rohitsharma45 — What can I say? Your faith, support, and trust have shaped every step of this journey. Can't thank you guys enough,' he added.
'A big shoutout to the physios, sports therapists, operations team and team doc — I could only do what I did because of your relentless support. Thank you for always being there,' concluded the strength and conditioning coach.
Cricket player Mohammed Siraj expressed gratitude on social media for a departing staff member, acknowledging their contributions to his fitness.
It's never easy to say goodbye to someone who's been more than a coach, who's been a guide, a mentor, a brother.
This is not the end but see you later. Your impact will stay with me forever. Your absence will be felt in the dressing room, in the gym, and in every sprint we run 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Fnx5GWxBPf
— Mohammed Siraj (@mdsirajofficial) May 31, 2025
'It's never easy to say goodbye to someone who's been more than a coach, who's been a guide, a mentor, a brother. This is not the end but see you later. Your impact will stay with me forever. Your absence will be felt in the dressing room, in the gym, and in every sprint we run,' he added.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to shortly appoint a new strength and conditioning coach and an assistant/batting coach. While the strength and conditioning coach's identity remains unannounced, Sitanshu Kotak is anticipated to fill the assistant/batting coach position. These appointments are anticipated before the Indian cricket team departs for its upcoming five-Test series in England.
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