Pranav Dhanawade became an overnight sensation in early 2016 after he played a record-breaking knock of 1009* in school cricket in Mumbai. Playing for a school team, Dhanawade smashed an unbeaten 1009 runs off just 327 balls. His knock included 59 sixes and 129 fours.

The knock of 1009* remains to be the highest innings played by a batsman at any level. Courtesy of his knock, his school team registered a thumping win by a margin of an innings and 1382 runs.

Speaking to CricketCountry recently, Dhanawade recalled his knock and said that there were huge expectations after that. As per the batsman, he also lost his focus at times.

“The expectation was huge after I got to the record. Every time I walked out to bat, I used to feel the pressure and that on occasions got the better of me. It became difficult for me as I lost focus at times and played a loose shot,” Dhanawade told CricketCountry.

Dhanawade also revealed that he was invited to Sachin Tendulkar’s house and Master Blaster gifted him his bat. Tendulkar also scored oodles of runs in school cricket before making it big. He had once scored an unbeaten 329 in school cricket, adding 664 runs with Vinod Kambli.

“I am Arjun Tendulkar’s friend and after the knock, I was invited to Sachin’s house. It was like a dream come true for me. He (Sachin) also gifted me a bat and wished me luck,” Dhanawade added.

In 2016, Dhanawade had broken Prithvi Shaw’s record of the highest score in minor cricket. Shaw, who scored 546 in 2013, owned the record for over 2 years. He is now a capped player and is a former U-19 World Cup-winning captain.

Dhanawade is yet to play senior cricket and will hope to come close to selection when the cricketing action resumes.