Mumbai's Pranav Dhanawade scores unbeaten 652 to break 116-year-old batting record

Mumbai-based Pranav Dhanawade on Monday hit an unbelievable 652 not out (in just 199 balls) against Arya Gurukul School, Kalyan, to break 116-year-old batting record on the opening day of the U-16 HT Bhandari Trophy Inter-School Cricket Tournament.

Representing KC Gandhi School, Kalyan, Dhanawade smashed all over the park to surpass Arthur Collins' score of 628 not out in 1899 in a Junior House Match in England in June 1899. Dhanawade's majestic knock was studded with 78 fours and 30 sixes as it broke all batting world records in minor cricket to guide his team 956 for one at the close of play on Day 1.

Australian Charles Eady scored 566 in 1901 which was challenged by Mumbai’s Prithvi Shaw (546 in 2013) who held the Indian record when he bettered his compatriot Armaan Jaffer's 473, scored in a Harris Shield match in 2013. Armaan also had slammed 498 in the Under-14 Giles Shield (in 2010) to break the record held by another compatriot Sarfaraz Khan (439 in 2009-10).

Dhanawade's innings also refreshed memories of the mammoth 664-run partnership between Mumbaikars Vinod Kambli (349) and Sachin Tendulkar (326) for Shardashram Vidyamandir in February 1988 during the Harris Shield tournament.

Will definitely try to score 1000 runs: Pranav

Pranav said he was motivated to break the records of India U-19 stars Sarfaraz Khan, Armaan Jaffer and Mumbai U-19 opener Prithvi Shaw. “I am very happy that I broke the record. Once I reached 350, I was determined that I should break those records. I was aware about the three records and how they made it to the history books,” said 15-year-old Pranav.

With two more sessions to go, the opening batsman wants to stretch his batting record further. “I will give it a try, I am confident that I can do it. If I can score 600 runs in two sessions, I am confident of scoring 350 in one session. I will definitely try to score 1,000 runs as I am just 350 away,” said the tenth grade student.

It has to be mentioned that Pranav hails from a humble background, where his father Prashant rides a modest auto-rickshaw for a living. Interestingly, his father was on the road when one of the enthusiastic parents called him informing him about his son’s extraordinary achievement.

"I actually got to watch him only after he had crossed 300. One of his friend’s father called me and asked, 'you are not at the ground?’ So I immediately rushed to the venue. It is a proud day. It's a reward for 11 years of his hard work. He has not even got the time to talk to his mother. She is keenly waiting for him to return home,” said his father Prashant.

He feels his selection in Mumbai U-16 team would be his first dream to be fulfilled.

“I want my son to become a great cricketer. He has proved that he has the talent today. Cricket is not an easy sport and expensive too. I spent extra hours driving an autorickshaw in order to afford the cricket gear for my son,” he explained.

The opening batsman had his coach Mobin Shaikh besides him to egg him on and on. “I had promised my coach that I will get a century this time as I had got out in 80’s in the first two games. When I got the chance to bat, I was desperate to get a three digit score,” said Pranav.

Shaikh recollects how Pranav came with his father Prashant to train at his Modern Cricket Club. “He is a talented wicket-keeper batsman and a very hard working lad. I did not ask him to pay the fee when he came to my club with his father. If he keeps doing well, he can definitely achieve higher goals. These days fifties, 60s or even a hundred or two will not make a big impact. He needed a very big score and now that he has achieved it, hopefully he will carry on from here,” Shaikh said.