What common thread binds record breakers Sarfaraz Khan and Pranav Dhanawade?

Since 2009, four players and five records from Mumbai-Kalyan region have been registered for the highest individual scores in cricket till date.

And the latest being a mammoth 1,009 scored by , Pranav Dhanawade, a student of KC Gandhi English School, Kalyan, in an U-16 Inter-School Cricket Tournament – HT Bhandari Trophy on Tuesday.

The five are: In the order — Sarfaraz Khan, Armaan Jaffer, Prithvi Shaw and the latest buzz maker Pranav. Having witnessed and covered all these record-breaking knocks, I found many things common between these five.

Obviously luck plays a big role and so does timing when it comes to record-breaking knocks. A batsman or a bowler doesn't go in to play with a mindset that he is going to make it to the record books. A players hopes to do welll and win matches. Records happen.

The common thread binds all these traits together: the belief in themselves, perseverance, determination, hunger for more, focus and support from family.

On Monday, when Pranav overhaulled Collins's 628, my second question to him was 'Are you eyeing 1,000?' His reply was straight and simple. "I want to."

But 'want to' doesn't mean 'will'. There is a difference. He wanted to and he had the will. Even the timing was right.

Pranav's opposition Arya Gurukul English School's management did not allow the senior boys to play due to exams which forced the coach to field a side with the U-14 boys. Some of these were playing for the first time in the senior category.

As rookies, they struggled to put the ball at the right place which worked for a regular cricketer like Pranav, who was notch higher in terms of talent and skills. He easily found the gaps. His punch was so hard that it was difficult for the 13 and 14-year-olds to even put their hand to the ball. And then there were some dropped catches too.

Otherwise, how would it be possible for someone playing cricket since the age of five, get his career's second century. It was pure destiny, skills, temperament and hunger to get those runs. Just like the case with Sarfaraz, Armaan and Prithvi.

Sarfaraz's knock, too, came against weaker opponents, who dropped a few catches. It was the same with Prithvi. Armaan's 498 and 473 came in testing conditions and against stronger sides. The latter was in the final of the Harris Shield and against the best.

Not taking the credit away from these batsman, the key to play longer innings for these four has been their ability to focus on the game, their skills with the bat, the temperament to stay longer at the crease and then the talent that they possess. Not to forget the passion.

Also common among them is the part played by their fathers in their success — the role of a guide and a motivator.

Sarfarz's father Naushad Khan is his coach and so is Kalim Jaffer for Armaan. While others who have not played big cricket like Pankaj Shaw father of Prithvi or Pranav's father Prashant, an autorickshaw driver who was once a keen tennis ball cricketer, try to realise their own dreams through their son.

Parents support plays a big role in shaping one's career. And these are not only doting fathers but are also strict with their child's game too and keep following their son's career keenly.

With the kind of trends and opportunities available don't be surprised to see more youngsters entering record books. But Pranav will be happy to feel that his record will be secure for long.

Translating these success to the next level will be the most important aspect like how Sarfaraz and Armaan, now India U-19 players, did. And what worked for them has been their consistency.