In most modern Indian households, where education carries such a cache, this might be cause for panic phone calls and stern warnings to get back quickly and study. Not in Ajaybhai's household.

For, the son in question is Parthiv Patel, the young India wicket-keeper.

India's World Cup campaign ends on March 23 -- hopefully victoriously -- and the fact that board exams begin two days later as Ajay Patel worried that his son will not be able to take a break after such a tournament.

That is the first surprise -- the fact that a family is more interested in allowing Parthiv to relax instead of taxing him.

The second surprise is that they should have such an attitude in spite of Parthiv being a good student.

Parthiv's house in Ahmedabad

"Make no mistake, I want Parthiv to concentrate on cricket," says Ajay Patel, a Bharatiya Janata Party activist and a former municipal councillor. "But he has been good in academics averaging 70 per cent in almost all his school exams. So I want him to at least finish his graduation, too."

How to balance the two has suddenly got the Patels all worked up.

Certainly, there can no greater prestige for an Indian family than to see one of its own donning the India colours. But Parthiv is just 18. Should he give up on studies because a long and paying international career is ahead of him?

For the moment, though, the Patel family is rallying behind Parthiv in his preparation for the crucial board exams.

Patel Senior says: "I will request the state government to make special arrangements for Parthiv that could allow him to take the exams a little later. Being a good sportsman, I am sure he will be able to cope with any eventuality."

However, a senior official in the Gujarat state education department says there is no rule which could get Parthiv such a concession. "Though we all admire Parthiv for his cricketing prowess and the fact that he is representing the country he has to appear for the examination or drop a year," he says.

'Parthiv's sister Kinjal says she prays her brother would outshine his role model, Adam Gilchrist of Australia, behind the wickets and as an opening batsman.'

Parthiv's family’s worries often fade into the background as India prepares for a World Cup enounter. Goodwill calls flood the Patel's residence at Dhana Suthar Ni Pol in Kalupur.

Neighbours are equally enthused to see the boy next door donning the wicketkeeping gloves for India.

Ramji Patel points to a portable colour TV in his paan shop and says: "Each time I switch on to cheer for India along with my friends we pray that Parthiv will figure in the playing eleven."

Parthiv's house became the focus of all attention on his birthday on March 9. A stream of visitors poured into his residence to wish their local hero and his parents.

Partiv’s sister Kinjal (20) who wished her "baby brother" over the telephone says: "He is part of a resurgent Indian team and I am proud of him. Parthiv told me he had taken all his senior teammates out to dinner to celebrate."

Kinjal said she also prayed that Parthiv, one day, would outshine his role model -- Adam Gilchrist of Australia. Gilchrist's brilliance behind the wickets and as an opening batsman have inspired Parthiv, she says.

Once he gets home, Parthiv may soon be driving around in his new car. His coming of age will be celebrated in a befitting style as Ajay Patel plans to buy his son a Fiat Pialo, which Parthiv is enmoured of. He also says there will be a birthday bash to welcome Parthiv home. "The party is postponed till Parthiv returns," he says.

For Parthiv's fans the celebrations went on unhindered. "Once he is back we will do it again," promises a Parthiv fan. The Parthiv Patel Fans' Club organised a dance competition at Saraspur and it was transformed into an impromptu party with chocolates and a cake being distributed among the 600-odd people present. Parthiv's uncle Jagat Patel was a special invitee at the event.

Parthiv's trophies

Senior members of club are drawing up plans to ensure that the baby-faced cricket star gets a rousing welcome when he get back to his home town.

Which means that Parthiv's journey from the Ahmedabad airport to his home in Kalupur might be a circuitous one on March 24.

The club members promise to "collect in large numbers" at the airport to greet their hero and felicitate him at a number of places before he gets back home.