India Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara said his father-cum-coach and ex-Ranji Trophy cricketer Arvind Pujara played a very big and crucial role in making him a Test cricketer.
"He has played a very big and crucial role. Being the only child, my parents loved me so much. I was particularly close to my mother, who always dreamed of seeing me play for India one day," Pujara was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo on Sunday.
"While my father took care of my cricket, my mother ensured that I became a good human being."
The right-handed Saurashtra batsman said his father's disciplined and strict coaching made him the cricketer he is now.
"He was a very meticulous, disciplined and strict coach. He still is, when we discuss the technical side of the game in person or on the phone."
"And when I was a junior cricketer, his approach towards me was no different than his approach towards other trainees. He never hesitated to scold me in front of others if I made a mistake," the 27-year-old said.
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When he was selected for his maiden Test against Australia in Bangalore in 2010, his father wanted him to play a big innings in his debut Test.
"He was obviously very happy. He said that our combined efforts have finally been rewarded. He told me that I had to perform well to deserve the honour of playing for India. He wanted me to play a big innings on my Test debut," Pujara said.
Pujara has so far featured in 27 Test matches and five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for India, scoring 2073 and 51 runs, respectively.