Alpesh Puna went on to represent New Zealand at the 2002 Hockey World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, then founded Singapore’s Shaw’s Little League to help children build confidence and sporting skills through play.
Narotam “Tom” Puna was the first person of Indian ethnicity to play test cricket for New Zealand.
His grandfather Narotam “Tom” Puna was the first person of Indian ethnicity to play test cricket for New Zealand.
Born in Gujarat, India, he moved to New Zealand with his family as a child.
He made three appearances against England in 1966, debuting at Lancaster Park on February 28, at 36.
Tom Puna’s sons Ashok and Kirti Puna both played First-Class cricket for Northern Districts.
Sixty years later, a New Zealand–India series revives a family sporting story: cousins Alpesh and Dharmesh Puna played hockey for the Black Sticks while Rupesh Puna played football for the All Whites.
Hamilton hosted the November 1 Twenty20 International at Seddon Park and will welcome the teams back for a one-day international tomorrow.
To his grandchildren, Tom Puna was Bapuji, meaning respected elder, whom Alpesh Puna has a picture of with his feet on a footrest, whisky in hand, watching sport.
“Bapuji came to watch us play, arranged family dinners and loved sport.”
The children played their own “World Series” on friends’ properties, mostly at the Muthu Cricket Ground, a spare section at a neighbouring family’s home.
Dharmesh Puna, the older child, made the rules, with trees serving as fielders and unbeaten batters allowed to resume the following morning.
More than windows were broken during those games, Alpesh Puna said.
“Dreams, mainly.”
Their Hamilton Boys’ High School groundsman lived behind the Muthu Cricket Ground, grumbling about damaged lettuces as he returned balls so play could continue.
Bapuji Puna watched their organised sport but avoided the backyard contests, where his presence might have required more diplomacy than cricketing expertise.
“He never played backyard cricket with us. He probably would have ended up spending more time trying to stop us fighting than playing actual cricket.”
Clues to their grandfathers’ achievements included trophies, team photos and a Cricket Almanack of New Zealand that Alpesh Puna drew over, even though his grandfather was one of its players of the year.
“His fault for leaving pens around.”
Brothers Dharmesh (left) and Alpesh Puna featured in a newspaper report ahead of their New Zealand hockey debuts in 2000.
Bapuji Puna died in 1996, four years before the brothers received their first senior New Zealand hockey selections.
Alpesh Puna hesitated before ringing Dharmesh Puna because he feared his brother had missed out, eventually asking: “Did you get a phone call?” He then discovered they had both made it.
“For that moment, we forgot about all those backyard battles.”
Friendships from those backyard contests have lasted over 40 years. Alpesh Puna and his childhood mates still meet regularly, though they now live around the world.
Behind those national selections was their mother, whose support he credits with helping both brothers reach the top.
“She is an amazing person who supported us all the time. Rock solid.”
Her contribution was often understated, whether she was getting things organised or feeding the family.
“I know that without her, we would never have played for NZ.”
His first New Zealand shirt remains his most meaningful piece of sporting memorabilia.
“It’s for my Mum.”
Dharmesh Puna keeps his grandfather’s cap at home on Auckland’s North Shore but the family’s allegiance is clear when New Zealand play India.
Alpesh Puna said they were born here, their grandfather represented New Zealand and they had followed him into national teams themselves.
Narotam “Tom” Puna (fourth from left) was the first person of Indian ethnicity to play test cricket for New Zealand.
New Zealand Cricket historian Francis Payne said Tom Puna began his career with Northern Districts’ first Plunket Shield team in 1956-1957 as a batter who bowled medium pace.
He switched to off-spin, helping the side win their first Shield title in 1962/63, then topped the competition’s wickets in 1965 and 1966 with 34 at 13.70.
That season earned him Almanack player-of-the-year recognition, the Winsor Cup for first-class bowling and a test debut at 36.
His final test wicket was that of England “great” Colin Cowdrey at Eden Park.
Tom Eley is a multimedia journalist at the Waikato Herald. Before he joined the Hamilton-based team, he worked for the Weekend Sun and Sunlive. He previously worked as a journalist at Black Press Media in Canada and won a fellowship with the Vancouver Sun.