Kolkata: A 19- year old boy named Rudra Dhanday, from Mumbai etched his name in the record books as he became the first ever batsman to score a double ton in an official T20 match.
The youngster smacked a 37-ball hundred while playing for Rizvi College in the Abis Rizvi Champions Trophy Super-8 College Cricket tournament, which is recognized by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
Playing against P Dalmia College on a good batting track, Rudra played a stellar innings of 200 not out, which included 21 fours and 15 huge hits. His first hundred runs came of 39 balls while the next hundred came of just 28 balls. His record score helped his college post a mammoth 322/2 in 20 overs.
In reply, P Dalmia College was bowled out for a paltry 75 runs in 10.2 overs, thus handing his college an easy 247 run victory.
An excited Dhandya said after his record breaking knock ” I am speechless. I can’t believe I did something like this,”
“It’s a perfect gift for my mom and dad who have their marriage anniversary tomorrow” further added the youngster.
Rudra’s started his cricket under the watchful eyes of his father, who works in the customs.
“I spoke to my dad who also is my coach and he is very happy with this effort. He asked me to carry on the good work as the Mumbai selection trials are around the corner” said the prodigious batsman, who idolises the former Indian slam-bang opener Virender Sehwag.
Rudra’s record now eclipses the batting record in an official T20 match, set by the West Indian Chris Gayle when he scored a blistering 175 in the Indian Premier League in 2013.
Earlier this year, a Delhi batsman named Mohit Ahlawat scored a triple ton in an unofficial T20 match. In the early of 2016, 15- year old Pranav Dhanawade recorded a total score of 1009 runs to his name in a two-day game in Mumbai.
Such stunning performances like these only highlight the fact that India continue to be a country which produces top-quality batsmen. Time would be the only thing that would however reveal as to how many such records will be made and broken in the future.
(With inputs from DNA and www.crictracker.com)