Interview of John Gloster

John Gloster is a physiotherapist from Australia who works with cricket teams. He was appointed the physiotherapist to the Indian team in February 2005 and successfully rendered his professional services for four years, i.e. till 2008.

During a Ranji Trophy match between teams of Saurashtra and Mumbai in Rajkot, I had a chance of meeting John.

I didn’t know anything about him or never heard of him! He served Indian team as a physiotherapist for four years.

Now India being a crazy cricket nation, and even myself a crazy cricket fan, I didn’t know of him.

I was watching match and taking photographs of it. I saw John sitting near to where I was standing.

He was in some discussion with Ranji Trophy officials. I tried talking to those officials first. But as per the rule, they can not give interview while they were on duty. I had a few glances at Mr. Gloster by then, and I somehow got a feeling that let me at least ask him who he is!

He was really very responsive. And then upon my request for an interview he readily stood up and joined me. Later I was to know, his name is John Gloster. He is basically from Australia. He graduated from the University of South Australia, and then worked with the Surrey County Cricket Club for three years, from 1998 to 2001. He was appointed the physiotherapist of the Bangladesh cricket team, and worked with them for four years before moving to India. Gloster resigned from his position as Indian team physio on 14 February 2008. The 2007/2008 tour of Australia was his last assignment with the Indian team.

Presently he works for the Rajasthan Royals team in the upcoming Indian Premier League.

An interesting thing  I knew while our conversation is that his wife is a Gujarati, and so am I.

At first, this was a little shocking to me. Upon my asking what is his favorite food from Gujarat, he promptly replied with “Shrikhand“. Shrikhand is a Gujarati sweet, very delicious.

Gloster then also spoke few words in Gujarati such as ‘Ekdam‘ and ‘Thora Thora‘. He must be getting regular Gujarati language lesson from her wife for sure!

Gloster says “I try to get home (Australia) two or three times a year. Friends back home always asking me about India, Indian people, culture, Indian food, the cricket. Fortunately, I have got plenty of stories to take back with. It’s been a great journey for me.”

Upon my asking, Do you also like playing cricket?, John says “Yeah, I have played lot of cricket.”

“Been here many times actually. Have few friends in Rajkot. And it’s nice to come up here because weather is nice and dry here, not so humid as it is in Mumbai. The winter is very lovely here, and lots of fresh air.”, adds Gloster.