Being a cool dad is about understanding your child: Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara, the architect of some of Team India’s most memorable wins in test cricket, shares “a very special bond” with Aditi, his six-year-old daughter. Asked about the qualities that make a cool dad, Cheteshwar says, “Parenting is very different these days and unlike earlier, when fathers would scold their kids frequently, the focus needs to be on understanding your child and being flexible.”

He adds, “Today, kids have more exposure and know a lot of things at a young age. Our education system has improved too. If you tell them something, they understand. It’s important to teach them the right things and while there will be times when they will do things that you may not like, you need to be patient. They need all the love and support at that age.”

‘I wish I could spend more time with Aditi’

Cheteshwar, who has to travel frequently for matches, which includes his county stint in England, says, “I have to travel all the time and I wish I could spend more time with Aditi. But we make the most of whatever time we get to spend together. She is learning how to swim and we love spending time in the swimming pool while travelling. We also love playing different games together. When you are with your kid, it’s important to stay in the present and play with them the way they want. You have to be like a child while playing with them. I often joke with Puja (his wife) that while Aditi is closer to her because of my frequent travels, it will be the other way round when I won’t have to travel this much (smiles). Whenever Aditi wants chocolates or sweets, she usually comes to me because she knows that I can’t say no to her. While I love pampering her, we make sure that everything is done in moderation. It’s important to strike the right balance.”

He adds, “During the pandemic, Puja had tested positive for COVID (in 2021). Thankfully, I was at home and right from feeding to bathing Aditi, I enjoyed doing everything. When I am away, we talk on video calls regularly. During summer breaks, Puja and Aditi visit me in England and during the evenings, I usually take Aditi to a park. I also enjoy telling her stories. Whenever I am around, I am a hands-on dad, but Puja deserves all the credit for bringing up our daughter so beautifully. These days, kids are usually glued to mobile phones and gadgets. Puja and I have made sure that Aditi doesn’t spend too much time on mobile. Instead, we encourage her to play with innovative toys and do activities that require her to think.”

‘It’s important to ensure that kids grow up with the right values’

Cheteshwar says that it’s important to teach kids the right things. He shares, “Kids are curious, and you have to ensure that you teach them the right things, so that they grow up with the right values. We (Puja and I) emphasise a lot on honesty and even if Aditi does something that we don’t like, she has learnt to be honest about it. Also, while pampering them is important, one needs to strike a balance. Aditi is a very sweet child and I am happy with the way she is growing up.”

‘It’s important to travel extensively with your kid’

Cheteshwar, who makes it a point to travel to different destinations with his family whenever he can, says that “it’s important to travel extensively with your kid.” He adds, “While academics is important, kids also need to travel to different places. I have been to different destinations with Aditi. Whenever we travel, she observes things closely and learns new things.”