Former Kolkata Police Traffic official Dayananda Garani elected as Team India’s throwdown expert for tour Down Under

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From managing the traffic on a busy Kolkata street as a Civic Police Volunteer to enter into the Indian team as one of the support staff – the life of Dayananda Garani has changed totally. He entered the team’s bio-bubble in Dubai as the throwdown expert-cum-masseuse for their upcoming tour of Australia.

Although he failed to become a cricketer like many, his dream has come true as he will be seen in the blue and also help the team in their preparation and that is no less than an achievement. Belong to Jamatiya village in East Midnapore district’s Kolaghat, he shared his story recently.

“I was stunned, it took some time to realise it and when I conveyed this to my father on phone, he was speechless and blessed me,” an emotional Garani told PTI from Dubai.

He was earlier working with the Kings XI Punjab in the ongoing Indian Premier League and he received a call from the BCCI when he was about to return to India after Punjab’s exclusion and he was informed about the tour. However, he got the opportunity as Team India’s regular throwdown expert Raghavendra has been tested positive for COVID-19.

“All my life, I’ve dreamt of serving the country and this is the opportunity. I never thought this would come so soon. They must have seen something in me during the IPL — it’s really been the turning point,” Garani said. “I’m ready to sacrifice everything for this new challenge.”

“I was a gymnast during my childhood days and always strong physically. Be it a bouncer, yorker and a full-length delivery, whatever the batsman wants I’m ready for it,” he again shared.

Notably, he was a regular face of Bengal way back in 2007-08 and used to be a medium-pace bowler as well. He got some useful tips from Ashok Dinda and Wriddhiman Saha as well.

“Dr Malay Pal sir and Koushik Bhowmik Sir of Kolaghat CC 80 helped me a lot. They took care of my financial needs as I came to play in Kolkata,” recalled Garani, who used to play for Baranagar Sporting Club and White Border Sporting Union before joining Kolkata Police later in 2013.

It is also noteworthy that, he has played for Kolkata Police in first division matches and also did duty for them as a ‘Green Police’ too. However, he didn’t have much progress in his cricketing career and then he did some fitness training and masseur courses. After that, he got in touch with Bengal trainer Sanjib Das and also joined Andhra Ranji Team in 2016.

It was in Andhra where he became the expert of throwdown with the likes of Hanuma Vihari and former India U-19 captain Ricky Bhui who used to face him. It was Punjab coach Munish Bali who had recommended his name for Punjab after seeing him in Andhra.

“Life has taken a new turn since then and then I got a chance to work in the IPL in UAE,” he said. “It’s really a proud moment for my family and the people in our village. Nobody has come close to this. But I will always stay grounded and will not shy away from joining my father at the farmland when I’m home,” he concluded.

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