Karnataka's Prakhar Chaturvedi created history, becoming the first quadruple centurion in the U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy final, and also eclipsing Yuvraj Singh's 25-year-old record for the highest score in the final.
Chaturvedi, 18, scored an unbeaten 404 off 638 balls against Mumbai, in Shivamogga, with 46 fours and three sixes. In 1999, while playing for Punjab, Singh had amassed 358 against Bihar, who had M.S. Dhoni in their squad.
The record for the highest individual score in the tournament, however, still belongs to Vijay Zol, who scored 451 not out for Maharashtra against Assam in 2011-12.
Chaturvedi's knock helped Karnataka amass 890 for eight in response to Mumbai's 380. Though the match was drawn, Karnatake won their maiden title because of the first innings lead.
“It is a great feeling. I am delighted that the innings came in the final, and helped Karnataka earn the first title (Cooch Behar). Feeling a bit tired but, yes, nothing can match the happiness of a team winning the title and you are contributing to it,” Chaturvedi told PTI.
Interestingly, he was not picked initially in the Karnataka U-19 squad for this season, and nor did he make the India U-19 squad for the World Cup. But, Chaturvedi did not let it affect his preparations and training.
His ability to handle pressure helped. His coach Karthik Jeshwant, who trains him at the SIX Cricket Academy at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Excellence, says Chaturvedi has a matured head on his shoulders. “Prakhar is a dedicated boy. He keeps coming to the academy (near Devanahalli) from his home (Bellandur), which is quite a distance away,” says Jeshwant, a former Karnataka captain, coach and selector.
The admiration and respect is mutual. Chaturvedi gives a lot of credit to Jeshwant for his development as a cricketer. “Jeshwant sir is technically very knowledgeable. He quickly spots even the minutest technical error in my batting. It is a blessing that I am able to work with a coach like him.”
The youngster is also grateful to his family members, who, despite their inclination towards academics, supported his cricket.
Chaturvedi's father, Sanjay Kumar Chaturvedi, owns a software firm in Electronics City, while mother Rupa is a technical adviser in DRDO.
“They have been very supportive of me from the time I took up cricket as an eight-year-old. They had even availed me of the services of a private throwdown expert during the (Covid-19) lockdown. Fortunately, I have been able to carry both cricket and studies together,” he says.
Chaturvedi is now focusing on Karnataka U-23 and Ranji Trophy debuts. The latter might happen soon, as the selectors might want to fast-track him to the senior side following Karnataka's shocking six-run defeat against Gujarat while chasing 110 at Motera, Ahmedabad.
(With PTI inputs)
