Armaan Jaffer breaks schools cricket record

Armaan Jaffer, 13, is the new owner of the record for the highest individual score in Indian school cricket. Armaan, nephew of one-time India Test opener and Mumbai captain Wasim Jaffer, smashed 498 for Rizvi Springfield School against IES Raja Shivaji School in the Giles Shield tournament at Cross Maidan in Mumbai.

Armaan first broke the record for the highest score in the Giles Shield, an Under-14 tournament, going past the previous record of 357 set by Parikshit Valsangkar of IES VN Sule Guruji, Dadar against Christ Church last year. He then surpassed Sarfaraz Khan's 439 - scored in the Under-16 Harris Shield competition last year - to claim the record. His knock, brought to an end by a catch, came off 490 balls and included 77 fours.

"I will thank my father who has always supported me and kept me going. I am little disappointed that I missed the 500-mark but as we say, 'One mistake and you are back in pavilion'," Armaan said.

Armaan's uncle, Wasim, once held the same record, scoring 403 in the Harris Shield. "I was not thinking about any record, nor about Sarfaraz's 439 and not even about Wasim uncle's 403. I was just following my coach's instructions. I am thankful to him for his motivation," Armaan said.

His coach, Raju Pathak, was full of praise. "He is a very disciplined player. I had told him last evening I want you to play a long innings so go ahead and score as many runs you want. Based on your innings, we will declare the target. But he surprised me as well and created a record innings. I am very pleased with his game."

There were no surprises when Armaan was asked of his role model. "Sachin Tendulkar is my idol. His determination and focus are the things that stand out."