Arvind Pujara: The architect behind the making of Test giant Cheteshwar Pujara

By K.R. Nayar
From Rajkot 

It was truly a great feeling to finally meet someone you have long wished to interact with, yet never found the opportunity to do so. From the time Cheteshwar Pujara began piling up runs for India, drawing admiration for his discipline and technical excellence, I had been intrigued by the man behind the making and architect of a Test giant.  When I learned that it was his father Arvind—a coach, a former cricketer, and a tireless mentor—who had shaped that solid foundation, a desire grew within me to meet him.

Arvind Pujara ... a tireless mentor 

Though I have reported many of Pujara’s defining innings across venues and continents, Arvind Pujara, who resides in Rajkot, remained elusive. Fate, however, had its own timing. Last week, at Rajkot, I finally met him during the ongoing G Force Cricket Academy coaching camp at their newly developed ground at the Rajkot Gymkhana Club premises.

We have heard numerous stories of fathers introducing their sons to the game of cricket, teaching them how to hold a bat or throw a ball. But what was it that made Arvind Pujara different? What set him apart from the many parents who dream of seeing their child excel in sport? That question lay at the heart of my curiosity. What was it that he did - day after day, year after year -to mould his son into one of India’s finest Test cricketers, and arguably one of the most technically accomplished batters the modern game has seen? 

Arvind Pujara... enjoys being amidst budding cricketers 

It is widely known that Arvind placed extraordinary emphasis on mastering the basics of the game. Was it this unwavering commitment to fundamentals that transformed Pujara into a fortress at the crease? My conversation with Arvind revealed that this was not merely a father-son cricketing bond, but a relationship rooted in values, discipline, and life lessons.

Arvind was a former Saurashtra Ranji Trophy player. It was two days after he had turned 75 years old that our meeting happened. Age, however, seemed to have little bearing on his energy or enthusiasm. Every single day, he chooses to be amidst young cricketers, guiding them not just on batting techniques or footwork, but on how to conduct themselves as individuals.

After a warm handshake, he enquired about a few journalists he had met in the past, but his attention was swiftly drawn to the practice nets. His eyes followed every movement, every shot, every flaw. Within moments, he turned to G Force head coach Gopal Jasapara, pointing out a subtle correction for a batter in the nets. Coaching, for Arvind, is instinctive—it never switches off.

Arvind Pujara with Gopal Jasapara 

This naturally led me to ask him what he looks for in a student. His answer was as simple as it was profound: “Discipline, physical fitness and skill.” Then came the inevitable question—when did he first realise that Cheteshwar had something special? Arvind smiled and replied, “It was a photograph.” He elaborated: “When Pujara was just two years old, a friend of my nephew clicked a photograph of him playing a rising ball. His eyes were fixed on the ball, he was on his toes, and his body was perfectly aligned. That was the moment I felt he could become a cricketer.”

Validation of his belief came a few years later from an authoritative voice. Arvind recalled how former India all-rounder Karsan Ghavri played a pivotal role in affirming his son’s potential. “When Pujara was 11, Ghavri saw him bat at the Bharat Petroleum nets in Mumbai. After the session, he came to me and said, ‘This boy will become a top player and can play anywhere.’ Those words stayed with me.”

Arvind’s guidance was not limited to coaching alone. He was meticulous in ensuring that Pujara received exposure against quality opposition. “Every vacation, we would travel to Mumbai. During those visits, he played numerous matches. We did this regularly for two years, and it made a huge difference,” he said, underlining the sacrifices made quietly and consistently.

Arvind Pujara with yours sincerely 

Many have labelled Pujara as a specialist Test cricketer, often attributing it to his technical perfection. But Arvind dismisses that notion. “I don’t think that is the reason. Someone labelled him a Test player, and the tag stuck. When he kept scoring in that format, people started believing it. Test cricket is tough and demanding, and to succeed in it, you have to work extremely hard.”

Asked how he felt watching his son score heavily and break records, Arvind’s response reflected the mindset of a true coach. “Of course, I felt happy. But after every innings, I would ask him how he got out. Runs are not what matter most. What matters are the strokes you play and the mistake that ends your innings,” said Arvind. His life, however, was tested deeply when his wife Reema passed away after a battle with cancer, when Pujara was just 17. From that moment on, Arvind became not just a father and coach, but also a pillar of emotional strength during Pujara’s formative years.

There were phases when runs did not flow, when form deserted Pujara. During those lean patches, Arvind’s advice remained reassuringly simple: “Stay at the crease for as long as possible. Runs will come.”

Gopal Jasapara introduces Arvind Pujara to the youngsters at the camp

A Railways employee by profession, Arvind would complete his shifts and then head straight to nearby grounds to bowl tirelessly to his son. “Cricket has always been part of our family,” he said. “My younger brother Bipin also played for Saurashtra. My father, Shivlal Pujara, was a fine leg-spinner who represented the princely state of Dhrangadhra.”  The game thus ran through generations—it was not just a sport, but a way of life.

Discussions and talking about cricket were part of the father and son’s daily routine. One piece of advice, however, stood above all else. “Mistakes will happen,” Arvind would tell his son. “What is important is to ensure that the same mistake does not happen again.”

The outcome of this remarkable father-son journey is etched in Indian cricketing history. Cheteshwar Pujara emerged as a symbol of resilience and discipline, amassing 7,195 Test runs, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. Behind those numbers lies a father’s quiet sacrifice, unwavering belief, and lifelong dedication.