Ravindra Jadeja and Cheteshwar Pujara ready to enjoy home advantage

The families of two centre-piece of Indian test team – Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja – will be playing for the first time in the hometown. The excitement of playing at their home venue obviously will be there but what makes the occasion more spell is that the families of the both cricketers will also get chances to witness their boys play live.

While Cheteshwar’s father and coach Arvind Pujara, who has represented Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy, is excited to his see his son play in the region’s maiden Test match, Ravindra’s dad Aniruddhsinh is “greatly disappointed” to miss the occasion since he is on a pilgrimage.

“I was looking forward to watching the first Test but that won’t be possible now. I’ve some guests from London and I’m currently with them on a pilgrimage to Ambaji, Mount Abu and other places in Rajasthan. I won’t be returning before November 13 – the last day of the Test,” Aniruddhsinh told mid-day yesterday.

“But, I’m very happy that a Test match has finally come to Rajkot, something which was only a dream a few years ago. It’s a very proud moment for the people of Saurashtra and I’m sure Rajkot will keep getting opportunities to host Test matches.”

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Aniruddhsinh, who spends much of his time at the farmhouse that Ravindra purchased and developed in a Jamnagar village called Pasaya, expects his son to shine with ball and bat and contribute substantially to an India win.

“Ravindra enjoys the benefit of the people’s blessings here in Saurashtra. He hasn’t reached his peak, but I’m sure he will soon. What is important is that despite his success and stardom, he hasn’t forgotten his humble origins. Unlike many star cricketers, he remains firmly down-to-earth and extremely religious,” Aniruddhsinh said.