Kolkata Traffic Police Official Dayananda Garani Realizes His Dream; Becomes Team India's Throwdown Expert
Published - 08 Nov 2020, 09:54 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:36 AM
Dreams do come true in life. If you don’t believe it, just ask Dayananda Garani- a Civic Police Volunteer in Kolkata- who has recently realized his dream of entering the Indian Cricket Team dressing room as a ‘throwdown’ expert.
Garani’s dream of representing the country on a cricket field did not materialize but donning the national jersey and helping the Pujaras and Kohlis to prepare for the upcoming tour of Australia is no mean feat.
Dayananda Garani was the throwdown expert for IPL franchise, Kings XI Punjab, and just as he was about to leave the bio-secure bubble following the sides’ exit, he received a call from the BCCI where he was informed that will be going to Australian with the Indian contingent as a replacement for the ‘throwdown expert’ Raghu, who had to pull out due to Covid.
Garani, who hails from remote Jamatiya’s village in East Midnapore’s district of Kolaghat area, was naturally stunned.
“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. 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,” Dayananda Garani told PTI.
International cricket’s rigor can take a toll on even the best in the business but for someone like Garani, who has been a ‘Green Police’, beating the odds isn’t a big deal.
“I’m ready to sacrifice everything for this new challenge,” Garani, who will throw down to the likes of Kohli and Co, said.
For someone who couldn’t even afford a bus ticket from Kolaghat to Kolkata during the early stages of his life, it has been a whirlwind journey for the medium pacer. Dayananda Garani represented Kolkata Police in first division matches besides fulfilling his duty as ‘Green Police’. And, Garani couldn’t stop the likes of Dr. Malay Pal and Koushik Bhowmik of Kolaghat CC 80 for the financial assistance that they provided him during his tough days.
”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,
But as age began to catch up and cricket aspirations not materializing into something substantial, Debraj Nahara of Kolkata police suggested him to do some fitness training and masseur courses.
“Life has taken a new turn since then and then I got a chance to work in the IPL in UAE. It’s really a proud moment for my family and 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 added.
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