Like every other Indian kid, Pujara was also into video gaming, which his mother did not like
Indian cricketers who do well often attain the stature of superheroes in our country. Among several significant names, Cheteshwar Pujara is one such heroic player known for his prowess in Test cricket. The best thing about him? His cold, calm, and composed stance in the middle makes him highly unpredictable. In short, the best bowlers have had a tough time dismissing him.
At this point, one needs to ask, "How did Pujara achieve this calm demeanour?" After all, the majority of present-generation players in their 20s or 30s believe in batting aggressively, even in Test cricket.
Well, for Pujara, it all started with playing video games and getting blackmailed by his mother.
While it has been scientifically proven that video games are good for a child's development, in India, though, parents have always been against the entire idea of games. At least that was the notion 10, 15, or 20 years ago, and fortunately, things have changed quite a bit now.
So, a young Cheteshwar Pujara, like any other Indian kid, also had a knack for playing video games. In fact, he used to remain glued to the screen for hours without giving his eyes a break.
This habit of playing video games was dislike by Cheteshwar Pujara's late mother Reema Pujara. She believed that Pujara needed to do something that would cool his mind and video games were not the solution.
Pujara with his mother during a ritual
Like every Indian mother, the late Reema Pujara found a way to blackmail her son for his own good. She laid a condition according to which if Pujara wished to play video games, he would've to pray and meditate everyday for a few minutes.
Speaking to Sportstar, Arvind Pujara, Cheteshwar's father, revealed, "She asked him whether he wanted to play video games or not. Cheteshwar said, yes. And then his mother told him that uskeliyerozpaach minute ka puja karnapadega (for that, he would have to do puja and meditation for five minutes every day)."
Cheteshwar Pujara with father Arvind Pujara showing their inked fingers after casting their votes
Arvind did not like the idea of Reema blackmailing Cheteshwar but Arvind revealed Reema's explanation behind the conduct. "She wanted him to keep faith in God and meditate for some time as that would help him cool the mind. It had two effects — he slowly started keeping faith in God and started meditating."
"For any cricketer, the key point is the balance of mind. In batting, technique can be taught but the key is keeping the mind cool, and that's something which cannot be taught. It has to come naturally," Arvind further added.
These early lessons taught by Reema to Cheteshwar is the reason why Pujara has become such a calm and composed player on the pitch – a man of focus and sheer will.
As Pujara turns 37 today, we hope he does well in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season representing Saurashtra and finds his way back into the Indian Test side for one last great stint.
