Pranav Dhanawade requests MCA to discontinue his scholarship with immediate effect

Pranav Dhanawade, the Mumbai cricketer, has decided to give up the scholarship of Rs 1 Lakh from Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA). The youngster came into the limelight last year in January after scoring a heroic knock of 1009 which was a world record in any form of cricket. He was applauded by the greats of the game and also was felicitated for his stupendous achievement. However, Pranav has since failed to make a mark and now wants to focus back on his career by returning the money he received from MCA.

Pranav, 16 then, had played a record-breaking innings in January 2016 KC Gandhi against Arya Gurukul in the inter-school U-16 Bhandari Trophy. The news of his unbelievable knock spread like wildfire throughout the world. It propelled him into some sort of stardom but since then he hasn’t lived up to the expectations. Within two years of the feat, he is no longer needed to train with Air India team and he was not included in Mumbai U-19 side as well.

We never wanted money

Prashant Dhanawade, the father of the Pranav Dhanawade, wrote a letter to MCA in which they requested to discontinue the scholarship with immediate effect. “We are thankful for the scholarship that the MCA announced when he created a world record with his unbeaten 1009. Since Pranav has not performed to expectations in the last one and a half years, it is not right for us to accept the MCA scholarship. If Pranav performs well later, the MCA can think of awarding him a scholarship. As of now, I request you to discontinue it with immediate effect,” he wrote according to mid-day.

It is being learnt that the decision of discontinuing the scholarship was taken jointly by his father and coach Mobin Shaikh. “A lot of people pass comments like, ‘Pranav made enough money from the 1009-run knock. So, there is no need for him to play any cricket now’. People also started spreading rumours that he has now got a house in Bandra. All this false talk hurts us. Not living up to expectations was also bothering him. We don’t want any accusation of him accepting the scholarship money and kuch kiya nahi. We want to erase all memories of that (1009-run) knock. The aim is to play a high level of cricket, but not at the cost of integrity. We just want him to enjoy his cricket like he used to before the 1009,” Shaikh said.

Prashant, on the other hand, was a relieved man after submitting the letter to MCA and said that his son needs proper facilities for training and not money. “We never asked for money. We have always appealed for better facilities and infrastructure from all those who came forward to help Pranav after his knock. They promised to bear the cost of his education and cricketing expenses but nobody addressed our actual need of proper training facilities and quality pitches. Bhuke ko khane ki zaroorat hai, kapde ki nahi (Those who are hungry require food, not clothes),” he said.