Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today lauded the astonishing cricketing feat achieved by local teenager Pranav Dhanawade, as the state government announced bearing his expenses for further coaching and education.
Dhanawade scripted history by becoming the first batsman ever to notch up a four-figure score, smashing an unbeaten knock of 1009 in an inter-school tournament at Kalyan in neighbouring Thane district.
The 15-year-old son of an autorickshaw driver, playing for KC Gandhi Higher Secondary School, reached the gigantic score in just 323 deliveries with help from 59 sixes and 129 fours.
“Pranav Dhanawade’s score has made Maharashtra proud. By becoming the world’s highest-ever individual scorer in all forms of cricket, he has made the country very proud as well,” Sports Education minister Vinod Tawde told reporters here.
“Thus, as a way of felicitating Pranav, the government has decided to bear the costs of his cricket coaching and help him financially in his further education,” he added.
Tawde said he met the teenager’s father and congratulated him on his son’s extraordinary achievement. “We will consult his father on other ways in which the government can help in his cricket coaching and education.”
Lauding Dhanawade’s astounding feat, Fadnavis said the young cricketer has played an amazing innings and he should continue with his good work.
“What an amazing inning! Incredible achievement of being 1009 not out in 323 balls. Congratulations Pranav Dhanawade. Proud of you. Keep striking,” he said.