Ten years ago Pranav Dhanawade scored a world record 1009 not out, but surprisingly, he wasn’t aware of the special anniversary till mid-day reminded him on Monday
Pranav Dhanawade is lifted by his friends and teammates after scoring a world record 1008 runs on Jan 5, 2016. Pic/mid-day archives
It's been 10 years since Kalyan-based teenaged wicketkeeper-batter Pranav Dhanawade scored a world record unbeaten 1009 in an U-16 Bhandari Trophy inter-school match at the Wayale Nagar ground in Kalyan on January 5, 2016. However, when mid-day called him on Monday to recall his achievement, Dhanawade, now 25, admitted that he had forgotten the special anniversary of his biggest achievement.
Dhanawade’s 327-ball innings, which was laced with 129 fours and 59 sixes, helped KC Gandhi English School (Kalyan) outclass Arya Gurukul (Kalyan) by an innings and 1382 runs.
‘An unbelievable day’
When asked to recall the day that gave him instant fame, Dhanawade said: “That day was unbelievable. I remember everyone, including my parents, friends and relatives were congratulating me. It was like a festival; everyone was coming to my home to celebrate. Initially, I didn’t understand the significance of what I had done. My dad [Prashant, an auto rickshaw driver] was continuously getting calls from friends and journalists who wanted to interview me. I hardly slept that night because of all the celebration and media frenzy. I was a bit irritated, but later, as I realised what I had done, I felt proud,” Dhanawade told mid-day on Monday.
Sidcup Sports Club skipper Pranav Dhanawade in Kent, UK, recently. PIC/Dhanawade’s personal collection
With the applause came criticism too as some felt Dhanawade had excelled against a young, inexperienced opposition. “I got to know about the criticism later from my dad when he told me that someone had written about it in a newspaper. It was unexpected, but I did not take it negatively. I did not react to it either because I knew that I had achieved something that not many can aspire to do. Yes, the opposing team had some young players in the U-14 age group, but you can’t score 1000 runs even in gully cricket,” added Dhanawade in the midst of a gym session on the eve of his Times Shield Division ‘B’ match for Dharamsi Morarji Chemical Co against Mumbai Police ‘B’ team.
“I’m determined to play first-class cricket, and I’m working hard for it,” added Dhanawade, who scored 700-plus runs while leading Sidcup Sports Club in Kent (United Kingdom) recently.
Coach Mobin’s advice
Meanwhile, Dhanawade’s coach Mobin Shaikh has advised him to concentrate on one format. “I think Pranav is a more focused cricketer now and gives equal importance to fitness and cricketing skills. He’s just 25, so age is on his side. I feel he should concentrate only on white-ball cricket, especially the T20 format. He will do well,” Mobin told mid-day.
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