Karnataka youngster Prakhar Chaturvedi made headlines with his marathon knock against Mumbai in the U19 Cooch Behar Trophy final on Monday, January 15 at the KSCA Navule Stadium in Shimoga. Karnataka took the first-innings lead in the match to clinch the title.
Batting first, Mumbai put 380 runs on the board on the back of Ayush Mhatre’s 145 runs knock. Ayush Vartak also played a fine knock of 73 runs. In response, the Karnataka batter made the Mumbai bowlers toil hard on the field. Prakhar Chaturvedi and Karthik started with a century opening stand. It was followed by a 209-run partnership for the second wicket between Prakhar and Harshil Dharmani.
Prakhar Chaturvedi went past Mumbai’s total slamming 404 runs in the innings. He slammed forty-six boundaries and three sixes. He became the first player to score a 400 in the Cooch Behar Trophy. Yuvraj Singh held the record for best score of 358 in 2000. Reflecting on his knock, Prakhar Chaturvedi said,
“It feels really great that I have been able to perform in this kind of a match. It was a big game for us and everyone had come to watch it. Scoring 404 is a very proud moment for me. Mumbai wale yahi bol rahe the ki humara score na beat karde (laughs) (The Mumbai players were saying what if he beats our team total?).”
Prakhar Chaturvedi reveals Rahul Dravid’s advice
Prakhar Chaturvedi further also revealed Rahul Dravid’s advice to him. He expressed that the legendary batter told him to visually match situations while practising in the nets. Prakhar spoke about playing with Rahul Dravid’s son, Samit Dravid, who has also performed well in the recently concluded Cooch Behar Trophy.
“I have been playing with Samit since U10. I have known him for a very long time, we are very close and in fact, we have had some good partnerships as well during the academy games or club games. This is the first time we are playing for the state together,” Chaturvedi said.
“I have met Rahul sir four to five times. I have had a chat with him quite several times. He has told me one thing whenever you practice in the nets, just imagine that you are playing in a match situation. Ask the bowlers their field placements and play accordingly,” he added.
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