There are many cricket fans around the world who are renowned for their extreme love and passion for the game. One such passionate fan is Pranav Jain.
The 18-year old has been collecting autographs of cricketers for eight years now. So far, he has garnered more than 600 autographed bats and is on the verge of getting his name inscribed in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Pranav, who resides in Bangalore, was present during the Tigers training session at the M Chinnaswamy stadium yesterday where he was waiting eagerly to acquire the autographs of Bangladesh cricketers Tamim Iqbal, Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed.
“Whenever any international team arrive in Bangalore, I don’t miss the chance to take their autographs on the bat as this has become my passion. [Yesterday] I came here to take the autographs of Tamim, Mustafiz and Taskin. While, I have already taken Shakib’s autograph when he was here for the IPL (Indian Premier League). I just love Tamim, Mustafiz and Sabbir. When the Bangladesh A team arrived here last year, I was here taking their autographs,” said Pranav. The only son of a well-off family, Pranav did face some obstacles in the beginning but later his family relented which encouraged him to pursue his hobby further.
“My father owns a jewellery shop and a sari store in Bangalore. Initially, my family did not encourage me as they did not understand why I took autographs of the cricketers. But later they realised my passion. Now, after finishing my studies, I have joined my father’s business. And at the same time, I am still chasing my dreams,” he said.
“Now, I have over 600 autographed bats from almost all the famous cricket players in the world. And, I will continue to collect as many as I can in my life.”
Pranav, who is a huge fan of Indian limited-over captain MS Dhoni, even waited 12 hours to meet his idol once. Dhoni now knows his name by heart and gives him time whenever he comes to play in the southern city.
“You know, I literally worship Dhoni. I have taken 20 photographs with him along with the autograph. He is a very humble person. Once I heard that he is coming to Bangalore, I waited 12 hours in the hotel only to see him. And now, whenever he comes here, he gives me at least 10 minutes of his time, which is the biggest achievement of my life,” he added.