19-year-old Mumbai cricketer Rudra Dhanday creates history by scoring a double ton in T20 cricket

What’s the story?

History was scripted in Mumbai as local boy Rudra Dhanday scored a double-ton in a T20 game in an inter-college tournament held by Mumbai University. After failing to impress Mumbai’s junior selectors during trials for the U-19 team last season, Mumbai lad Rudra Dhanday created history by slamming a 67-ball unbeaten double hundred in the Abis Rizvi Champions Trophy Super-8 College T20 Tournament held at the Matunga Gymkhana ground on Thursday.

Following his impeccable innings, Dhanday was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times, “I am speechless. I can’t believe I did something like this. It’s a perfect gift for my mom and dad who have their marriage anniversary tomorrow.”

In case you did not know...

Dhanday had earlier run into some bad luck with the Mumbai selectors in the recent past when he was unceremoniously dropped from Mumbai’s 15-member squad for the Vinoo Mankad Trophy West Zone League in last October.

This unsavoury incident infuriated Dhanday’s father to such an extent that he even contemplated setting himself on fire at the Mumbai Cricket Association office only to be later calmed down by his son.

The heart of the matter

Dhanday opened the batting for Rizvi College and took on the bowlers from the very start of his innings. The youngster registered the first hundred in just 39 balls and went to score his double ton in 67 balls, propelling his team to a colossal score of 322 for the loss of two wickets in twenty overs. Dhanday's knock included 21 fours and 15 sixes.

Opponents Dalmia College, on the other hand, were left befuddled as they were bowled all out for a total of 75, giving Rizvi College a 247-run win.

Parallels from history

Earlier this year, Delhi cricketer Mohit Ahlawat achieved a monumental feat by becoming the first person ever to score a triple century in the shortest format of the game. Ahlawat scored his triple ton off just 72 balls and his innings comprised of 39 sixes and 14 fours.

Author’s take

We have often seen teams posting a 200 plus total in a T20 game, but Dhanday achieved the feat single-handedly. Dhanday’s blistering strokeplay was a perfect example of his masterclass and this was the best way he could have given to the selectors who had overlooked him.