Indian women's hockey goalkeeper Dipika Murthy, who turned 30 yesterday received a birthday wish from one of the most unlikely people ufffd coach M K Kaushik ufffd who recently stepped down from his post amid charges of sexual harassment levied on him by Murthy's teammate TH Ranjita.

Ironically, Murthy was one of the strongest backers of Ranjita, and even proudly proclaimed later that she was most happy with Kaushik's ouster. Yesterday, when MiD DAY met the tainted coach at his residence in Ashok Vihar here for a clarification on the allegations against him, he refused to comment saying the matter is sub-judice. However, he immediately pointed out that coincidentally it was Murthy's birthday yesterday.
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"If you do speak to her, please convey my birthday wishes," said Kaushik, who has not spoken to any of the girls from the national side since the issue surfaced last month.

Murthy was stunned to know that the veteran coach remembered her important day despite all what had transpired between them in the recent past. "Wow ufffd it's great to know that he remembered it. Please thank him on my behalf," Murthy replied, even as she stressed on the after-effects the episode has had on the team as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup in Argentina later this month. "The team was quite affected by the incident but we have decided to put it behind us and practice hard for the World Cup. The senior players have taken it upon themselves to continuously talk to the younger players and help them get over what happened. We realise that we have to do well at the World Cup. There will be no excuses for poor show," she signed off.