Abhinav Bindra¡¯s father built a shooting range for him to practice and he went on to win an Olympic gold. Priya Punia¡¯s father built a cricket ground for her to train, what will it lead to? ¡°I hope something he can be proud of,¡± she says. The 22-year-old opening batswoman took a step in that direction on December 21 when she was named in India¡¯s T20 squad to tour New Zealand.
It is not uncommon for a businessman to construct a tennis court or a shooting range for his children, but a government clerk attempting such a thing? Now if that isn¡¯t something to raise eyebrows! Surendra sold his property and took loans to buy a 1.5-bigha plot on the outskirts of Jaipur at Harmada for Rs 22 lakh in 2010. ¡°I¡¯d always wanted to build a sports complex there,¡± he smiles. And when his daughter showed no interest in badminton but preferred cricket, even with boys, he decided to set up nets and a proper pitch.
The Jaipur girl actually expected a call-up in 2015 after a brilliant domestic season. Her performance that season included a 95 for North Zone against West and culminated with a 42-ball 59 for India A against a visiting New Zealand side, the highest for the hosts. She was noticed for her composure and confidence during that innings, batting at number 3. ¡°I was sure of getting selected then. I was disappointed, but I did not give up,¡± says Priya. ¡°I knew my time would come.¡±
So did Surendra Punia, her father, who is keen to live his unachieved dream of playing for the country through his daughter. Priya, a native of Churu in Rajasthan, plays for Delhi in domestic circuit and has been among the leading run-getters in the past two seasons. ¡°I expected a place in the ODI squad, but I will take whatever opportunity had been handed to me,¡± she says. ¡°I expect to do well in the international arena.¡± The call-up has come in the backdrop of two centuries in the domestic season. ¡°Perhaps her sixes prompted the selectors to pick her for T20s,¡± ventures Surendra.
The father¡¯s decision to build a practice pitch was prompted by a bitter experience that Priya faced when Surendra, an employee of Survey of India, was transferred from Delhi to Jaipur in 2016.