Mumbai’s veteran cricketer Dhawal Kulkarni set to retire from cricket after Ranji

Dhawan Kulkarni, one of the stalwarts from Mumbai domestic cricket will bid adieu to cricket after this Ranji Trophy season. Amidst his retirement reports Kulkarni spoke about his plan on Saturday. He featured in three games this season and took seven wickets.

Dhawal Kulkarni to retire soon

While speaking of his plans ahead, Kulkarni told reports on Saturday, “My experience as a senior player might help the team during the knockouts, which is the most important phase of the tournament. As and when I will be required to play, I will play and will retire after the last game.” Kulkarni, who has claimed 281 wickets in first-class cricket, also informed how the Mumbai Cricket association, the selectors, and the coaches wanted him to stay back till the end of the season.

“Being someone who has been a part of the previous championship-winning team, I wanted to be here. I thought of accepting the request of the MCA, the coaches and the selectors…”

The 35-year-old veteran cricketer also played 12 ODIs and a couple of T20Is for India between 2014 and 2016 where he took 19 ODI wickets and three T20I wickets.  Dhawan who has been a giant of India’s domestic cricket circuit, was a part of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy-winning team in 2008-09, 2009-10, 2012-13 and 2015-16 seasons. He was part of Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, and the now-defunct Gujarat Lions in the Indian Premier League during his illustrated 17-year career.

No Luck in Test

However, he could never make it to the Indian Test squad. “That’s one thing I could not get. I have always dreamed of it. Though I was there, unfortunately, I did not get a go at it. That was not in my hands. I gave my best in these 17 years,” he said, “Even now, I will try to contribute to Mumbai cricket and India in whatever way possible…”.

He spent time with Mumbai’s fast bowlers and helped throughout the campaign this season. “Whatever I feel, I go and tell them and they accept it,” Kulkarni said. “I am fortunate that Omkar (Salvi) is the coach, Ajinkya (Rahane) is the captain and they listen. That also helps me and gives me the confidence to express myself…”