Meet Rishabh Pant’s Malayali leader | Cricket News

Being an athlete’s personal chef is no easy task. In addition to satisfying the client’s taste buds, the chef must help the player optimize his health through food choices.

Over the past year, Jithin Raj, who hails from Unnichira near Edappally in Kochi, has worked closely with Indian wicketkeeper and batsman Rishabh Pant to develop a healthy meal plan that fits the cricketer’s dietary goals and lifestyle.

Jithin was part of Pant’s personal coaching staff when he played for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 and the recently concluded T20 World Cup in the United States and the Caribbean.

Passion for cooking

Jithin took his first cooking lessons as a child by watching his parents TR Saji and Rathi, who ran a hotel in their hometown, cook. After completing Plus Two, he did a diploma in culinary arts from Manipal Academy of Higher Education. Back home, he started a tea shop in the locality. It was then that Jithin got a job offer from Neat Meals, a Mumbai-based company that provides fresh and healthy meal services to celebrities.

Neat Meals offers personal chef services to Bollywood celebrities and top cricketers. The company’s clientele includes star batsman Virat Kohli and actress Vicky Kaushal.

Jithin got the opportunity to be the leader of the IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, which was captained by Pant, who was making a comeback after the terrible car accident of 2022.

“Pant really liked the food I cooked for him, and one day he came to me and asked if I was interested in being his personal chef. I didn’t hesitate to say yes,” said Jithin, 25.

Diet is sacrosanct

According to Jithin, Pant loves good food but insists on sticking to strict diets. “He prefers a low-carb, high-protein diet. He also loves Kerala cuisine. His favourite dishes are traditional Kerala-style chicken curry with coconut milk, Varutharacha chicken curry (chicken cooked in spicy roasted coconut gravy) and crispy appams. While he loves butter chicken, dieticians have asked him to avoid high-fat foods like butter,” Jithin said.

A memorable journey

Jithin spent over a month with the Indian team during the T20 World Cup. “Getting to interact with cricketers whom I have idolised since childhood was like a dream come true for me. I also cooked for other Indian cricketers. I was also lucky enough to be in the stadium to watch the final between India and South Africa,” Jithin added.