Jayanto Bhowmick's voice was choked as he spoke about his favourite ward Wriddhiman Saha's "career-defining knock" which he felt came at the right time in his career.
"It is the best day of my life. Any coach would wait for this particular day when his student does something special. Papali (Wriddhiman's nickname) speaks to me before every major game and yesterday was no different. I told him that please play a nice knock that everyone would remember. He promised that he won't disappoint me," Bhowmick told PTI over phone from Wriddhiman's hometown Siliguri.
The 58-year-old coach feels that it's all about the "stars" as his ward played a stellar knock in the finals.
"It's all about luck you see. He was with Chennai Super Kings where he didn't even get a chance to keep wickets in any match. As a coach I know that when he keeps wickets, he bats better. The move to KXIP has changed it and it's all about the stars as well. The age (29) that he has reached, he needed an innings like this which should be remembered by one and all," said Bhowmick.
Bhowmick is the coach of Siliguri's Agragami Club where Wriddhiman learnt the ropes of the game.
"He always had good reflexes and was a natural keeper. But his determination level is something in different league as he improved his batting once he made the transition to first-class level. He has a good technique and is now more assured about his footwork against the fast bowlers," said Bhowmick.
"Today all the members as well as the junior players of the club got together at the club-house where we have a television set. It's a norm whenever Papali is playing a match (international or domestic), we all watch it together at the club. I am old man but it makes me emotional as I see that youngsters are bursting crackers. The whole town of Siliguri especially our Shaktigarh colony has erupted with joy," Bhowmick described the scene.
The coach feels that with Dhoni taking rest, Wriddhiman will atleast get chance to play the three ODIs though he is a bit worried whether Robin Uthappa would be tried as a keeper.
"Hope after this innings, they don't try Uthappa as a keeper. In 50 overs, you have to crouch up and down 300 plus times. I don't think Uthappa can do it consistently in 50 overs," said the proud coach.
