Pranav’s previous best score was 152, graduated to top order recently

The cricketer impressed all with his power-packed innings in the 2-day MCA inter-school Under-16 tournament

Pranav Dhanawade made his parents proud with a record knock of 1,009 runs. The well-built sturdy cricketer impressed all with his power packed innings in the two-day MCA inter-school Under-16 tournament. The 15-year-old Class 10 student from KC Gandhi English School, Kalyan had a previous best score of 152 and had graduated to top order recently.

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.