• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Who Is Drona Desai The Gujarat School Boy Who Came Close To Breaking Brian Laras 501 Run Record

Who is Drona Desai? The Gujarat School Boy Who Came Close To Breaking Brian Lara's 501 Run Record

Drona Desai [X/@InfoGujarat]Drona Desai [X/@InfoGujarat]

Drona Desai has broken many records and etched his name in the pages of cricketing history with his marathon 498-run knock in school cricket. Desai, aged 18, was playing for his school, St. Xaviers (Loyola), against the JL English school in an under-19 multi-day tournament when he notched up this stunning innings. 

His name is engraved in an elite list of players, which includes Brian Lara, who has registered such mammoth individual scores in an inning. Desai's 498 came off 320 deliveries, decorated with seven maximums and 86 fours. Courtesy of his stellar knock, his team registered a massive win by innings and 712 runs. Notably, the JL English School was a man down in the match as one of their players arrived late, as reported by Indian Express. 

Interestingly, Desai was agonizingly close to Brian Lara's 501* record. This knock was played by the cricketing great in a county match while he was playing for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994. It is the highest score in first-class cricket, even after 30 years. Desai could have gone past this iconic score but failed to do so, as he preferred to play his shots instead of going for the record. 

Here is what Desai said after the game - "I wasn't aware I was so near to 500. There was no scoreboard, and my team didn't inform me. I went to play my stroke and got out, but I am happy to have made those runs."

Who is Drona Desai?

Gujarat-born Desai started cricket at the tender age of seven. Since then, he has risen through the ranks in youth cricket and has already represented the state at the under-14 level. With his consistent performance and string of big scores, Desai's potential for future cricketing opportunities is undeniable. He is bound to catch the eye of the selectors and secure a place in the under-19 state team, a prospect that excites cricket enthusiasts and selectors alike. 

Drona credited his cricketing journey to his father, who recognized his talent early and ensured that he got the perfect guidance under coach Jayprakash Patel, a renowned name in cricket coaching in the area. As per the teenager, his batting is heavily influenced by his inspiration Sachin Tendulkar, a connection that inspires young cricketers and resonates with cricket enthusiasts. 

Desai's name is now added to a list of distinguished cricketers who have recorded some of the highest scores in school cricket. These names include - Pranav Dhanawade (1009*) and Prithvi Shaw (546).