Sachin Tendulkar sends signed cricket bat to 1,009-run record breaker

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Tendulkar sends bat to record breaker

Pranav Dhanawade scored 1,009 not out

The 15-year-old lives in Mumbai slum

CNN  — 

Just when he thought his week couldn’t get any better, Pranav Dhanawade has received a surprise gift from India’s most famous cricketing son.

The 15-year-old schoolboy, who scored a world-record 1,009 runs in a local schools cricket match earlier this week, took delivery of a signed bat from none other than Sachin Tendulkar during an interview with CNN’s Mallika Kapur at his home in a Mumbai slum.

“Dear Pranav, keep up the good work and enjoy the game,” Tendulkar, the highest run-scorer in international cricket history, had written on the back of the bat, with his signature below.

“Such a big player sent a bat for me, it’s a really big accomplishment,” Dhanawade said upon receiving the gift.

“I’m feeling very tired now. But I am feeling very happy.”

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15-year-old cricketer scores record 1,009 runs
02:28 - Source: CNN

Dhanawade’s father – a rickshaw driver – and mother were understandably proud, but also keen to not let their son get ahead of himself after days of media interviews and congratulations.

Local Mumbai school cricket is extremely competitive and has produced the likes of Tendulkar, fellow Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and Rohit Sharma, who captains the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

“Pranav’s 1,009 has proved that everyone is equal,” his father Prashant told CNN. “This is the magic of cricket.”

Dhanawade reached his record-breaking score off just 323 balls, hitting 59 sixes and 127 fours in 395 minutes at the crease during the HT Bhandari Cup inter-school tournament.

“This is all because of my son,” Dhanawade’s mother said as she gestured to the mountain of flowers from well-wishers at the family home.

“I want him to be a good cricketer, he should rise high but keep his feet firmly planted on the ground. That’s what I pray for.”

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