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Xtra Time Web Desk: Swapan Sadhu, the mentor behind Indian cricket legend Jhulan Goswami's illustrious career, has passed away. Sadhu, known for his exceptional coaching at Vivekananda Park, played a pivotal role in shaping the journey of the "Chakdaha Express" from a small-town girl to a global cricket icon.

Swapan Sadhu, who mentored Jhulan during her formative years, breathed his last on January 6, 2025. Jhulan, mourning his demise, shared the news on social media, expressing gratitude for his guidance.

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Sadhu was a respected cricket coach whose keen observation turned Jhulan into a fast bowler. Spotting her potential on her first day at his camp, he handed her the ball instead of a bat, paving the way for her rise as one of the world’s greatest pacers. Jhulan herself shared the news on social media on Monday, posting a picture with her coach. She wrote, “Today, I lost not just a coach but also a mentor and guide. Swapan Sadhu Sir, you shaped me not just as a cricketer but also as a person. Your teachings will resonate in my heart forever. Rest in peace, Sir. Thank you for everything. I will always remember you. Om Shanti.”

Jhulan’s journey, from her small-town origins in Chakdaha to achieving her dreams, is nothing short of a fairy tale. On her first day at Swapan Sadhu’s coaching camp at Vivekananda Park, she eagerly waited for her turn to bat. But her experienced coach, noticing her height and frame, decided that she was destined to be a bowler. He handed her the ball, not the bat, and thus began the career of the "Chakdaha Express."

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Over her nearly 15-year-long international career, Jhulan achieved many remarkable milestones. She became the highest wicket-taker in the world, the fastest bowler, ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year, the best all-rounder, and many more. Among Indian pacers, only Kapil Dev had reached similar heights, surpassing Richard Hadlee’s achievements. Jhulan, however, went a step further, breaking the decade-long record of Australian bowling legend Cathryn Fitzpatrick, who was also Jhulan’s role model.

As a testament to her stellar career, a stand at Eden Gardens is being named after Jhulan Goswami. The stand will be officially inaugurated on January 22, before the India-England T20 match. Unfortunately, Swapan Sadhu will not be there to witness this momentous occasion in his student’s life.