Father's Day Special: Yuvraj Singh to Sanju Samson - Four India Cricketers who had Inspiring Fathers behind their Success Journey

The cricketers, when speaking about their inspirations, often take the name of their parents. Although it is normal, as kids often get their guiding light from their parents, for a cricketer, the job is extremely difficult.

In India, the cricket-playing sample size is huge, while only a handful make it to the highest stage. Thousands of fathers toil with their kids, sometimes to transform their own dream through their son, while sometimes by the pure passion for cricket. Like an umbrella, fathers are the ones who protect their own. They sacrifice, dedicate their lives for their own children.

On this auspicious Father's Day, here are four fathers whose vision, sacrifice, and involvement played a decisive role in shaping the careers of their sons in Indian cricket. Each story reflects a unique dynamic, yet all converge on one common truth, the driving force named Father.

Yograj Singh on Yuvraj Singh

Yograj Singh, a former India fast bowler, played only a handful of international games but made his mark by raising one of India's greatest match-winners. He was a strict, almost militaristic father who demanded excellence from a young Yuvraj. Yograj's training was intense-often involving long hours, tough routines, and high expectations.

While the father-son relationship was turbulent at times, Yograj's relentless push shaped Yuvraj into a mentally tough, fearless cricketer. From hitting six sixes in an over in the 2007 T20 World Cup to starring in India's 2011 World Cup win despite battling cancer, Yuvraj's resilience was born in that high-pressure environment. Yograj didn't just raise a cricketer-he engineered a fighter. His methods were unconventional, but their results defined a generation of Indian cricket.

Lala Amarnath on Mohinder Amarnath

Lala Amarnath was a pioneering figure in Indian cricket - India's first Test centurion and a respected captain. He passed on not only his cricketing knowledge but also his fierce commitment to the game to his sons, Mohinder and Surinder. Mohinder rose to become one of India's most dependable batsmen in the 70s and 80s, with his finest hour coming in the 1983 World Cup where he was named Man of the Match in both the semifinal and final. Lala's influence was both technical and psychological; he instilled in his sons the value of resilience, particularly against adversity.

Mohinder's courage against fast bowling reflected Lala's own fighting spirit. Their relationship wasn't always easy-Lala was known to be stern-but the legacy he left helped define Indian cricket's early toughness and laid the foundation for future generations.

Arvind Pujara on Cheteshwar Pujara

Arvind Pujara, a former first-class cricketer, played a brief career for Saurashtra but his greater role came as the mentor and coach of his son, Cheteshwar. After the death of his wife, Arvind dedicated himself fully to raising Cheteshwar as a person and as a cricketer. He focused on building discipline, patience, and classical technique, elements that define Cheteshwar's Test career. From early morning net sessions to strict routines, Arvind emphasised mental strength and spiritual calmness. In a recent interview, Cheteshwar also mentioned the role of Karsan Ghavri, a former India player, who was a key advisor to his father about his cricketing skills in early days.

Cheteshwar has gone on to become India's modern-day Test anchor, playing over 100 matches and serving as a bulwark in overseas wins.

Samson Viswanath on Sanju Samson

Samson Viswanath, a former footballer and Delhi Police constable, made an extraordinary sacrifice for his son Sanju's cricket career. Realizing Sanju's potential early, he left his stable government job and relocated the family to Kerala to provide better opportunities for his son. Viswanath managed Sanju's early training, took him to matches, and fought through the financial strain and uncertainties of the domestic circuit.

His belief in Sanju never wavered, even when results were inconsistent. Today, Sanju is a standout IPL performer, captain of Rajasthan Royals, and a talented wicketkeeper-batsman who is an established India player. His stylish, fearless batting is matched by the quiet strength of his father's support. Viswanath didn't just back a career- he built it with sacrifice, foresight, and complete emotional investment in his son's dream.