Cheteshwar Pujara: My wife was worried that I should perform

New Delhi: He meant it in earnest after his double hundred in the just concluded second Test against Australia, but Cheteshwar Pujara's comment, with its double entendre, following his great knock was the source of much merriment on social networking sites.

"There was a bit of pressure on me. I just got married, and my wife was worried I should perform," he said, sparking a hail of comments on Twitter.

He followed that up with a serious commentary on his batting plan. "After scoring a century against New Zealand on this track, I got to know the pitch. It was a very similar pitch to that one. When we bowled, the ball was doing a bit. So the plan was to get a partnership. We knew that the new ball would do a bit. The plan was to not lose any wickets in that first session. My natural game to play that fast. Scoring those many runs in domestic runs has given me the experience to help me keep the tempo. It was a very important partnership with Vijay, our communication was good and it set the platform," he said.

"Cheteshwar Pujara. More double entendres than double centuries. #IndvsAus," commented Twitter user @babumoshoy.

His 62-year-old father Arvind Pujara, who had played six first-class matches

for Saurashtra in the late 70's, said he doesn't come to the stadium to watch his son's performance.

"Since Cheteshwar's mother passed away in 2005, we were only two people. So I need to look after household affairs. I can't just leave the house. But now, Puja (his wife) will be travelling with him."

So how much has 'Lady Luck' got to do with his son scoring a double ton just after marriage?

"His wife has definitely brought him good luck. But I view it differently. Cheteshwar was facing an emotional void after my wife passed away. Now Puja has come in his life and he has got someone he can share his feelings with.

"International sport is a very tough place and you need that emotional stability. That is why, I feel very relieved now," Pujara senior said. Pujara got married on February 13 to Puja Pabari.(With PTI inputs)