OUTSIDE SUPPORT IN PLAY

INDIA'S throwdown specialist Raghu Raghavendraa went viral last November when India overcame Bangladesh in a T20 World Cup match at the Adelaide Oval. More than the player, it was Raghu, who got traction on the social media sites with netizens showering praise on him. Running around the field with a brush in his hand, he was cleaning the shoes of Indian players to prevent them from skidding due to the wet conditions.

-  FIROZ MIRZA 

Even in this World Cup support staff's contribution has been critical, especially during matches played during hot and humid conditions, like in Chennai when Pakistan met South Africa in a group game on Friday. It rained before the game and as the sun started beating down the MA Chidambaram Stadium, temperature rose. Humidity too was high.

South Africa fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen would saunter languidly to the third man for a drink after every over. A member of the South Africa team (support staff) was marshalling the boundary line with a towel, at times with an ice pack and different coloured liquid bottles in hand.