Mumbai: It was unreal, unexpected but Pranav Dhanawade ended up doing the improbable to go in the record books of World Cricket.
The 15-year-old wicket-keeper batsman from Kalyan, Maharashtra had graduated to top order just few months back due to his power hitting capability and he made its own for the moment by smashing record 1009 unbeaten runs in just 327 balls during his 396 minutes stay at the crease at Union Cricket Academy Ground, Wayale Nagar, Kalyan.
Read: Mumbai's Pranav Dhanawade shatters records, scores unbeaten 1,009 runs in an innings
His 1000 runs, first by any cricketer, came of just 323 balls. Pravan, son of a rickshaw driver, hit mammoth 59 sixes and 129 boundaries in his power packed knock.
It was his only second century with the previous highest being 152. The opening batsman had broken few windows around and also the highest individual score record on Monday when he finished the first day on 652 not out.
Read: Pranav Dhanawade – Mumbai's boy wonder – to get Maharashtra government aid
The Sachin Tendulkar fan used to keep the wickets and bat lower down the order until his club coach, from the age of six, Mobin Sheikh was impressed with his batting prowess.
“He came to me when he was six. He had talent but he did not show much interest. I made him the wicketkeeper and it increased his involvement in the game. He stitched 40-run partnership for the last wicket in a crucial game and I was impressed by his power. He was promoted to the middle order but he struggled against spinners so we decided to send him to open the innings to do maximum damage against fast bowlers,” Mr Sheikh said.
“I love wicket-keeping and have been impressed by former Australia keeper Brad Haddin. I want to now play for the Mumbai U-19 team,” Pranav said.
“I sent him for opening in the last few games after making him promise that he would try to occupy the crease as long as possible and treat the ball on merit. He always had the power and over the couple of months, he has matured as well,” KC Gandhi School’s coach Harish Sharma said.
Pranav’s father Prashant Dhanawade, who drives an autorickshaw said he always knew that Pranav could play well, but never imagined that he could score that big.
“We struggled at times financially but we always managed it. I made him focus on cricket. Due to lack of facilities at Kalyan, he went to play in MIG Cricket Club in Bandra but had to stop playing it for three months due to his studies. He resumed playing in September,” Mr Dhanawade said.
He will soon play for India, says Ajinkya Rahane
India cricketer Ajinkya Rahane believes Pranav Dhanawade, who smashed an unbeaten 1,009 in the HT Bhandari Cup inter-school tournament, will soon don the blue.
Pranav, son of an auto rickshaw driver in Kalyan (in Thane District, few kilometres outside the Maximum City), achieved the feat in just 323 deliveries with 129 fours and 59 sixes for K.C. Gandhi School against Arya Gurukul School.
“As a Mumbaikar, I want to congratulate Pranav. I am proud of him. I am sure he will do better and then, come and play with us,” said Rahane, few hours before flying to Australia for an ODI and T20 series,” Rahane said
“Batting for one-and-a half days is no joke, one requires immense concentration and focus; pronouncing 1,009 itself takes so much time, imagine scoring them,” added the 27-year-old.
Rahane dismissed all criticism and confusion regarding the nature of wicket, the quality of the tournament and opponents.” “Listen, the number in question (1,009) is the amount of runs one can score in a season. This 15-year-old kid hit the same in an innings. A record is a record,” he said stressing on the importance of concentration.
Pranav must be a special kid: MS Dhoni
Skipper MS Dhoni, on Tuesday, lauded the efforts of Pranav and said scoring that many runs is no hoax. “It is a serious business. Now, there will be comparisons.
Pranav has to compete with other individuals of his age but it is also the right time for his coaches, parents to back him.”
“This should be taken as the first step. He must be a special kid. The fact that he is hitting the sixes means he is calculating his batting,” said Dhoni. The 34-year-old added: “I would have been bored had I had to bat for so long.”
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