Pranav Dhanawade slams 236 on eve of second anniversary of 1009 feat

Pranav Dhanawade

A day before the second anniversary of his epic 1009-run knock, batsman Pranav Dhanawade played another attention-grabbing innings -- 236 for Jhunjhunwala College in a 45-over inter-college match against Guru Nanak College at Cross Maidan on Thursday.

The Ghatkopar college piled up 459 (including 51 runs penalty for slow over rate by the opposition). In reply, Guru Nanak College folded up for a paltry 60 thanks to Yash Singh's 7-14 in 5.2 overs.

On January 5, 2016, Dhanawade smashed an unbelievable 1009 not out for Smt KC Gandhi School in an inter-school game for the HT Bhandari Cup.

Thursday's 236 is Dhanawade's first big knock in competitive cricket after his world record innings two years ago. "I am happy. I want to make a fresh beginning. I am not thinking too much about my future; just want to enjoy the game," Dhanawade told mid-day.

Dhanawade has encountered a rocky road after his mind-boggling 1009. He was drafted in by Dadar Union SC for the 'A' division of the Dr HD Kanga Cricket League but did not get a game. The club didn't need his services thereafter. His contract with Air India was not renewed after a year.

Dhanawade also went on a scholarship to the United Kingdom as part of exposure trips, but it didn't make much of a difference to his confidence.

In November 2017, as reported by mid-day, a struggling Dhanawade decided to forego the Rs 10,000 monthly scholarship across five years from Mumbai Cricket Association in the hope of breaking free from the burden of expectations.

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