 | « Back to article | Print this article |
'Playing alongside Sachin is a lifetime experience for Cheteshwar'
Arvind Pujara is a satisfied man. His son Cheteshwar's prolific form in Test cricket continued with yet another century but he was even more proud because the India No 3 was involved in a big partnership with Sachin Tendulkar in the maestro's final match.
"It is a proud moment for me that my son was involved in a significant partnership with Sachin in his last international appearance. This 148-run stand is something that Cheteshwar will treasure his entire life," a proud Pujara senior, who is also his son's coach, said.
For Arvind, the biggest gain for his son from this match is "the live coaching" that Cheteshwar received from the master himself.
"It was not an easy wicket to bat on. There was turn and bounce on offer while some deliveries were also keeping low. You needed someone to guide Cheteshwar, who is still new to Test cricket. And who better than the great man himself," Pujara senior said.
"Surely Sachin would have guided him on how to play on this kind of track. It was as if he got live coaching from Tendulkar in a match situation. Yeh cheez dobara kabhi naahin hogi (he will never again get a chance to get his tips in a match situation). This is a lifetime experience for him.
'I am happy that he is scoring consistently for India'
I believe he is lucky that he has played for the country alongside Sachin," the former Saurashtra wicketkeeper-batsman added.
"One needs to play according to the situation. Sachin was bating smoothly and certainly they had chalked out a plan on how to counter the bowling on such a pitch. The need of the hour was to rotate the strike and Cheteshwar did that. I am happy that he is scoring consistently for India," Pujara senior analysed.
Another thing that Arvind liked was that his son didn't try the hook shot against short-pitched deliveries -- something that has brought about his downfall in the past.
"I don't mind Cheteshwar playing the hook shot if need be but, as I have said earlier, that he can avoided if it's not necessary. I am satisfied with the kind of shots he played," Arvind Pujara.