The Team India Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara is known for having an unwavering devotion to take on opposition bowlers while wearing a beatific smile. His acquiescent approach speaks volumes about his character in tandem. And while donning the whites, he backs himself to bail out his team from any precarious situation. Such has been the emergence of punctual Pujara. However, he reminisced about a moment of his father Arvind Pujara following his 193-run knock at Sydney.
The Rajkot-born Pujara missed out on the double hundred by seven runs during the fourth and final Test at Sydney. He slammed 22 fours while facing 373 deliveries. Premium Aussie off-spinner Nathan Lyon has undone Pujara on his own bowling.
Cheteshwar reveals a conversation with his father about Sydney innings:
Pujara asserted his father told him the job was done and you don’t need to be sad as it’s merely a number. Well, Arvind added by saying there is nothing above the team.
“Later that evening my dad told me that the double-hundred was just a number ‘You’ve done the job for the team. Don’t be sad. Seven runs does not mean much, but the job you have done for the team means a lot,'” Pujara told The Cricket Monthly.
During the recently-held Test series against Tim Paine-led Kangaroos, Pujara’s father Arvind had undergone heart surgery on January 3. Arvind was attended by Pujara’s wife Pujara in India when Pujara was on the line of national duty.
Interestingly, Pujara revealed his father talked to doctors about his Sydney innings. Pujara, who has been in awe of his father for his certain principles, has witnessed a treasure trove of memories.
“I was communicating with my wife, Puja, who was travelling with my father, regularly. I knew he was in the right hands and I could focus on the Test match. He is a special person in my life. Puja was telling me that, having undergone the procedure, seeing my score, he talked to all the doctors and they were congratulating him. ,” Pujara maintained.
Pujara says he’s a tough bloke:
Pujara revealed his father’s surgery was on his mind and it became a bit difficult to focus on his trait.
“The surgery was on January 3, the first day of the Sydney Test. Although it was playing on the back of my mind, I am someone who is really mentally tough, so I could focus on my batting,” Pujara said.
Dr Patil who operated Pujara’s father has assured the prominent batsman regarding the procedure. Pujara reiterated doctors told him not to worry as his father is doing well.
“Firstly, I was assured by our family doctors before the Test that he would be okay. He needed the procedure because his heart rate was fluctuating. Dr Patil, who carried out the procedure, was in touch with me and told me to not worry,” Pujara revealed.
The 31-year-old Pujara piled a mountain of runs against hosts Australia in the four-match Test series. He amassed 521 runs in four Tests at the 74-plus batting average.
“It was not easy to sleep. My body was tired. Mentally I was relaxed because my father’s procedure was done,” Pujara said on his Sydney masterclass.
High on confidence seals the deal for India:
Owing to his exuberant performance, Pujara bagged the Player of the Series award. He walked out as the leading run-getter in the Border-Gavaskar Test series.
Pujara further had a word on his merry-run against Australia. He asserted he has been optimistic regarding the things which eventually went in his way.
“The good thing about that particular Test was that I had scored runs in the series. So my confidence was high. I had already played the practice match at the SCG [in November] so I just wanted to capitalise,” Pujara added.
Overall, Pujara, who has been gracious in his approach consumed 1258 deliveries in series Down Under. He helped India to clinch historic Test series victory against Australia by scoring runs on a consistent basis.
Earlier, Pujara had to give his best in Melbourne and Adelaide as well before finding Sydney surface easy to score runs. Pujara maintained building on the momentum was so crucial, and he is happy for reaping the rewards in series Down Under.