Mumbai: Pranav Dhanawade, the 1,009-run hero, gives up Rs 1 lakh MCA scholarship

In a letter to the MCA PranavDhanawade who shot to the limelight after his 1009run epic innings last January has said he has been unable to perform up to expectationsEver heard of a sportsperson returning his scholarship money because he couldnt live up to expectations Teenaged cricketer Pranav Dhanawade has just done so in an effort to refocus and put his cricket career back on track The youngster came into the limelight in January 2016 when he smashed an unbeaten 1009 a world record He got the scholarship following the knockIn January last year Dhanawade then 16 scored an unbelievable 1009 not out for KC Gandhi against Arya Gurukul in the interschool U16 Bhandari Trophy an achievement that created ripples in world cricket After the felicitations the Mumbai Cricket Association MCA granted him a scholarship which meant Dhanawade would get Rs 10000 per month for five yearsAlso read MCA to continue cricketer Mumbai lad Pranav Dhanavades scholarshipPranav DhanawadeLaunching padThe innings propelled him into some sort of stardom but the young cricketer has not lived up to expectations In less than two years Dhanawade is no longer needed to train with the Air India team has been asked to look out for a new club by Dadar Union and was not included in the final Mumbai U19 probables His father Prashant and coach Mobin Shaikh admit Dhanawade has not scored runs on the local circuit but also bemoan the lack of facilities to train in Kalyan Yesterday Dhanawade Sr delivered a letter to MCA a copy of which is with midday requesting them to discontinue the scholarship with immediate effectAlso read Pranav Dhanawade to train with stars Yuvraj Uthappa after 1009run knockPrashant who drives an auto rickshaw for a living in Kalyan in his letter written in Marathi stated We are thankful for the scholarship that the MCA announced when he created a world record with his unbeaten 1009 Since Pranav has not performed to expectations in the last one and a half years it is not right for us to accept the MCA scholarship If Pranav performs well later the MCA can think of awarding him a scholarship As of now I request you to discontinue it with immediate effectPranav Dhanawade after his 1009 runs in January last yearHowever though the MCA has already sanctioned Rs 120000 for the second year Prashant said it has not been received The call to discontinue MCAs scholarship was a joint decision by Dhanawades coach Mobin Shaikh and Prashant Shaikh noticed that Dhanawade was not playing freely since his wonder knock A lot of people pass comments like Pranav made enough money from the 1009run knock So there is no need for him to play any cricket now People also started spreading rumours that he has now got a house in Bandra All this false talk hurts us Not living up to expectations was also bothering him We dont want any accusation of him accepting the scholarship money and kuch kiya nahi We want to erase all memories of that 1009run knock The aim is to play a high level of cricket but not at the cost of integrity We just want him to enjoy his cricket like he used to before the 1009 Shaikh who does honorary coaching in Kalyan told middayAlso read Mumbai lad Pranav Dhanawade scores world record 1009 in an inningsDhanawades father is a relived man after submitting his letter to MCA We never asked for money We have always appealed for better facilities and infrastructure from all those who came forward to help Pranav after his knock They promised to bear the cost of his education and cricketing expenses but nobody addressed our actual need of proper training facilities and quality pitches Bhuke ko khane ki zaroorat hai kapde ki nahi Those who are hungry require food not clothes said Dhanawade SrMobin ShaikhPoor ground conditionsHe stressed on the pathetic condition of Subhash Maidan where his son and other aspirants toil The first thing the boys do when they arrive in the morning is to clear the glass pieces from the ground Although there is a proper pavilion with a toilet facility the players cannot access it as it is locked by the municipality Cricket kits are out in the open and there is no shade as well We have written to the authorities to at least give access to the pavilion but there has been no response I stressed to all the politicians who met Pranav after his knock on the need to have a proper training facility in Kalyan We were told that the two plots have been finalised but nothing has happened said Prashant