If you ask Tushar Tugnait how many runs he’s scored since the start of the cricket season in September, the 13-year-old can instantly give you the all important stats – 1,087, including 91 sixes.
He records every run in a book and his love for the game is shown through his knowledge, playing style and numerous trophies.
In his back garden, there are red marks on the wall where he practises with his father Mukesh on a daily basis, and his cricket role model is Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar.
So when he scored two rapid centuries in the under-13 MGS Vision Cup for GEMS Modern Academy (GMA), he celebrated both in the same manner as the 41-year-old legend.
“I took off my helmet and looked towards the sky because Sachin is my hero. Everything he did during his career was astonishing and to score runs for 24 years, gives me nothing but admiration,” said Tushar.
The youngster achieved the feat last month, hitting a 32-ball hundred against St Mary’s, followed by a 46-ball ton in his school's semi-final victory against Our Own English High School, Sharjah.
And Tushar said the memories will live with him forever – especially as those contributions helped his team clinch the title.
"It really hasn’t sunk in yet but there was a feeling of joy," he said. “Some of the top professional players score at a similar rate and when you draw comparisons to them, then you feel good about yourself.”
Describing his thoughts when he was at the crease, Tushar, who dedicated his success to GMA coach Shaffique Ahmed, Shahzad Altaf at Young Talents Cricket Academy and the Desert Cubs Cricket Academy coaches for their support, said: “On 99, my coaches told me to go for the single but I still went for the six and I got a boundary to celebrate the hundred.
“But I liked my second century the most as the opposition scored 145. I was really confident and I hit the first ball for a six and finished the game with a six. It was one of the best innings that I have played,” added Tushar, who also made a 50-ball century against Indian High School, Ras Al Khaimah in the same competition last year.
When the school holidays begin at the end of the month, Tushar will return to India for a third year to a four-week camp at Karnataka Institute of Cricket in Bangalore.
And it’s an establishment that is very close to his heart.
“This is a very important place because they help me improve my technique. Their emphasis is also on fitness and that is always an advantage in cricket. The coaches stress the importance of playing a different variation of shots which is a good learning curve for me.
“I’ve been playing a lot of practice matches, playing against 17, 18 and 19-year-olds during the camp.
“So the Bangalore experience against those players will make a big difference to me.”
A high-flyer in his academic studies, Tushar, who now idolises Indian batsmen Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan, has hopes of going all the way in the game and one day representing both his adopted and birth nations.
“If I’m still here in the UAE I would like to play for them,” he said. “And to represent India is every child’s dream.”
Tushar makes no secret that his father Mukesh has played a big role in his cricket career so far. A former bowler, Mukesh recalls the moment when Tushar took an interest in the game.
“I came home from work one day and I heard noises against the wall outside," said Tugnait Sr. "So I wanted to know what he was doing.
“I was so amazed to see him pick up the ball and throw the ball when he was only seven.
“There was never a more joyous moment in my life. It wasn’t about the cricket, it was about seeing a boy so focused. Every now and then I pass on what I have learned from my father and am pleased to see him happy.”
