Mumbai: Arvind Pujara is a satisfied man that his son Cheteshwar's prolific form in Test cricket continued with yet another century but even more proud that he 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 on his last international appearance. This 148-run stand is something that Cheteshwar will treasure for his entire life," a proud Pujara senior, who is also his son's coach, told PTI over phone from his Rajkot residence.
For Arvind, the biggest gain for his son from this match is "live coaching" 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 would never again get a chance to get his tips in real match situation). This is a lifetime experience for him. I believe he is lucky that he has played for the country alongside Sachin," the former Saurashtra wicketkeeper-batsman added.
Pujara's father liked the manner in which he rotated the strike at the beginning taking those singles which eased the pressure.
"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 he 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 the need be but as I have said earlier that he can avoid if it's not necessary. I am satisfied with the kind of shots he played," Pujara senior signed off.
