LUCKNOW, Feb. 9 -- Watching cricket has always been her passion but Laxmi Rathour could never play the sport actually. She remained determined to serve the game one day in some form and now it's a reality for her as she has been the physiotherapist for the Indian women's cricket team. Playing a crucial role in athletes' recovery and performance, Laxmi's expertise extends beyond cricket to other Indian sports stars, showcasing her versatility in sports medicine. Her latest assignment happens to be the 2026 Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars, scheduled to be held from February 13 to 22 in Thailand where India A will be amongst eight teams for the event. "It's my love for cricket which inspired me to serve the game as physio and I feel proud when I treat and help a cricketer show her class in a match. In fact, this allows me to feel proud and be part of the game even though I don't play inside the boundary," said Laxmi, a native of Kanpur. In fact, she began her journey in physiotherapy with a focus on sports rehabilitation, earning recognition for hands-on work with state-level teams. She honed her skills at clinics in orthopaedic and sports settings, emphasising injury prevention and strength conditioning. After completing her bachelors from CSJM University in Kanpur, she did her Masters in Sports Physiotherapy from Dehradun and her thesis was on cricket. "Only then I decided to serve cricket and it took me a lot of hard work to reach that level only in last April when I served the Indian women's team as a second physiotherapist in the tri-series against Sri Lanka, in the bilateral series against England and then in preparatory camp for ICC Women's ODI World Cup in August-September," she said. Laxmi also served as head physiotherapist for India A Women's Tour of Australia in October last before handling the affairs of the India A Team warm-up game against New Zealand. "For me, every assignment is a challenge and I feel the same thrill and excitement like a cricketer feels in the ground. I have my own style of enjoying cricket. It was quite difficult in the beginning, but I never lost the hope of being associated with the game and that's why I came to this field and now when I cure the players from injury and they play, I feel very good and that gives me job satisfaction," said Laxmi. Even after getting married almost three years ago, she got full support of her husband as well as in-laws. "In fact, they allowed me to pursue my dream and I am thankful to my husband and in-laws, who always stand by my side," said Laxmi, whose breakthrough with cricket came only after she joined the Chhattisgarh Cricket Association as a senior physiotherapist in 2021. Laxmi's protocols for fitness management and recovery proved vital during high-stakes tournaments, aiding players in maintaining peak form. Before joining the Indian women's cricket team, Laxmi also handled physiotherapy assignments with ace Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar at the Asian Games trials and Asian Women Gymnastics Championships in 2023 before providing specialised care and injury management to elite tennis player Karman Kaur Thandi in 2024. In fact, this cross-sport experience enriched her approach, allowing her to adapt techniques for varied physical demands, from marathon recovery to gymnastics rehab. Laxmi's impact shines in her holistic methods, blending physio with strength training for sustained athlete health. With more than 10 years of expertise, she inspires by prioritising mental resilience alongside physical prep. As demands grow for the women's team, Laxmi's role evolves with cutting-edge tools like dry-needling and taping. Her multi-sport background positions her to mentor the next generation of physios. Through quiet dedication, she ensures Indian athletes compete at their best on global stages....