Priya Punia on the pitch her father made.

Felt vindicated, says father after Priya makes it to T20 squad

JAIPUR: 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.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 in that season included a 95 for North Zone against West and culminated with a 42-ball 59 for India A against the visiting team- New Zealand side, the highest for the hosts. Batting at number 3, she was noticed for her composure and confidence during that innings. “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 has come in the backdrop of two centuries in the domestic season. “Perhaps her sixes prompted the selectors to pick her for T20s,” says 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.I wanted to get enrolled with an academy there, but the coach looked at me and mockingly said, ‘What can a girl do?’” the feisty Jat told TOI. “I was quite hurt and decided that I wouldn’t join that academy. I could not take the disrespect for being a girl.”The incident took place just as Priya was knocking on Team India’s door. Her father decided to set up facilities required for practice. “I approached a groundsman, but he wanted Rs 1 lakh. So I decided to make the pitch myself,” Surendra said. He spends Rs 15,000 monthly for its upkeep.Anurag Thakur was president of BCCI at the time and one of his aides suggested to Surendra that a word with the Himachal Pradesh strongman could ensure Priya’s place in the Indian team. “I was in two minds,” Surendra recalled. “The issue was decided by Priya herself. When I informed her about the offer, she said if I got her into the Indian team through the back door, she would opt out.” Explaining her stand, Priya quietly said, “There is no satisfaction in getting into the team on a recommendation.”The shift to Jaipur wasn’t easy for Priya because jaundice struck her almost immediately. Three months later, after recovering, a fractured thumb forced her to spend few more months doing little. “I was suddenly facing questions on whether I had taken the right decision to shift her to Jaipur,” said Surendra.Priya, however, retained faith in her father. After all, he had always been her mentor and coach. When Priya’s name figured in the India T20 list last week, he felt vindicated. “I was living a dream,” Surendra said.