Gujarat boy Drona Desai, all of 18, has scripted history by amassing a whopping 498 runs in an Under-19 inter school match in Gandhinagar.
Desai, who played for his school St Xaviers (Loyola), in the Diwan Ballubhai Cup Under-19 multi-day tournament, took only 320 balls to reach the incredible score that included seven towering sixes and 86 boundaries.
His marathon knock came against JL English School at the Shivay cricket ground in Gandhinagar, placing him in an elite list of players who have reached such tall scores in Indian cricket history.
His efforts ensured a 712 runs victory for his team over the opponents.
“I wasn’t aware I was so near to 500. There was no scoreboard, and my team didn’t inform me. I went to play my stroke and got out, but I’m happy to have made those runs,” said Desai, reflecting on his historic performance.
Drona Desai has steadily risen through the ranks of youth cricket. Having already represented the state at the Under-14 level, Desai’s recent achievement is bound to draw attention from selectors as he eyes a spot in Gujarat’s Under-19 squad. His journey in cricket started at the tender age of seven, heavily influenced by watching his idol, Sachin Tendulkar, bat.
Desai credits much of his progress to his father, who recognised his potential early on and ensured he received quality coaching under Jayprakash Patel, a renowned coach who has mentored over 40 cricketers in the region.
“I began to play cricket at the age of seven and my father pushed me hard as he felt I have in me to become a good cricketer. He took me to JP Sir (Jayprakash Patel). Such is the scenario that since Standard 8 to 12, I just went to school for my exams. I continued playing cricket and am hoping to make it big one day,” Desai said.
Drona’s name is now added to a distinguished list of cricketers who recorded some of the highest scores in school cricket; these include Pranav Dhanawade (1009* ) and Prithvi Shaw (546).
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