India, Aug. 25 -- Cheteshwar Pujara finished as India's eighth highest Test run-getter, but his cricket went far beyond the numbers. He was the glue that held India's batting, his stonewalling innings giving others around him wings. In this post-retirement interview, the 37-year-old reflects on the trials and triumphs of his 103-Test journey.

Excerpts

You couldn't have built this career without your father Arvind. How do you look back at your career?

He played a major role in my cricketing journey. He made me disciplined from a very young age while other kids were enjoying life. But it's my mother who taught me life lessons. Even though she passed away when I was 17, she made me become the person I am. She would tell me, 'No matter how...