Scholar Sachin!

Sachin Dhas knows what itrsquos like to score big By that we donrsquot just mean runs something that he scored in good measure on Tuesday for India U19 to make their ninth final in a World CupDhasrsquos 95ball 96 played a crucial role in Indiarsquos twowicket triumph over hosts South Africa in the semifinal at BenoniThe Beedbased Maharashtra player is also proficient in academicsAlso Read Virat Kohli likely to miss next two Tests also doubtful for final gameSachin Dhas right aged six heads to practice with dad Sanjay in BeedCricket or academicsBeing good at studies and cricket led to a conflict over what to pursue Sanjay 50 who represented Beed district in the Maharashtra Ranji Trophy team selection tournament Jasdenwalla Trophy wanted his son to chase his cricketing dreams while Sachinrsquos mother Surekha an Assistant Police Inspector was against the ideaSachin who led Maharashtra in all age group teamsmdashU14 U16 and U19mdash secured 76 per cent in his SSC exams while in the HSC science stream he scored 88 per cent And thatrsquos precisely why Surekha wanted her son to concentrate on academicsMeanwhile Sachin started faring well in age group tournaments Sanjay has vivid memories of his sonrsquos first century ldquoThe Beed U14 district team were playing the Invitation Cup at Shinde College in Pune He scored an unbeaten 156 after his side were struggling at 386 and helped Beed chase down the target He was then selected for Maharashtra U14rdquo Sanjay told midday from Beed on WednesdayAs Sachinrsquos cricketing stocks grew the academics versus cricket debate turned louder ldquoHis mother used to say lsquodonrsquot encourage him to play sport and spoil his career Let him concentrate on his educationrsquo She allowed him to play only after Sachin assured her that he would concentrate on education and cricket But I was sure that he had that spark and he enjoyed the process We organised for him to be hometaught and he benefitted from the help his elder sister Samiksha gave him She is now preparing for civil service examsrdquo Dhas saidApart from naming his son after India batting legend Sachin Tendulkar Dhas Sr played a key role in Sachinrsquos cricketing developmentLittle Sachin for companyldquoI used to take threeyearold Sachin for my practice sessions and matches He used to wake up early to accompany me He used to enjoy the atmosphere and showed great interestldquoWhen he was around four I took him to Adarsh Cricket Academy where he trained under coach Shaikh Azhar Sachin worked hard on his game When Sachin rose to Maharashtra U16 ranks his mother realised that he had something in him and allowed him to concentrate on cricket Now she is happy enjoying his gamerdquo Dhas remarked The Dhas household was glued to their TV set on Tuesday ldquoI consider the 96 against SA his best innings so far While chasing 244 we lost four wickets early 324 so there was some tension He struggled for five to six balls initially but when he smashed his first three fours I told myself that Sachin will win this game for India He and skipper Uday Saharan played sensible knocks and showcased great temperament to help us enter the finalrdquo remarked Sanjay In a way he felt his son is fulfilling his incomplete dream ldquoIt was my dream to play at a higher level but I didnrsquot have the potential But Sachin possesses all qualities to be a big cricketerrdquo he signed off Sachin is not done with academics He is in his first year of senior college and is determined to complete his science degree Indeed there are more runs to be scored on two different types of pitches as it were