Pranav Dhanawade since scoring that colossal unbeaten 1009 runs in school cricket in January 2016 revealed is out of form. His appetite for scoring runs consistently against a better opponent, during his school cricket days, was not was checked.
That innings in the HT Bhandari Cup, an interschool tournament in Thane, didn’t provide proof of his qualities as a batsman.
He, in the subsequent matches scored 74, 156 in the semifinal and 20 and 40 runs in the final.
Since then his life has got harder as he was overlooked by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), which pays him a monthly sum of Rs. 10000 for one offseason for his training camp for 19 probable.
He also played in Thane Premier League, a 20 over the tournament, and Thosar Trophy where his runs dried up.
A few month ago he was not selected in the West Zone U 16 team that created a social media furor even though he was not eligible for the qualification as he never represented Mumbai.
A senior Mumbai coach said, “his case is only media hype.”
Former Indian captain Ajit Wadekar who felicitated Djanawade, said, “it (1009) showed the guy has an appetite for runs. I am sure he will come up with age.”
Dhanawade came back from Bengaluru after a month long training season at the Just cricket Academy near Bengaluru, where Indian cricketers like KL Rahul , Manish Pandey, and Karun Nair had trained.
He will go in England for an exposure tour in Leicestershire with Worli Cricket Club where he will play nine exposure matches.
But this is unlikely to help him as his very innings will be measured with his 1009 run innings.
He scored that innings against a bunch of small boys who are younger than him.
However, his score surprised everyone as scoring a colossal is not easy it needs patience and a good eye. He may have to do a lot of hard work to get a place in the U-19 Indian team that may open a door of prosperity for him.