For generations in Indian cricket, it was a given that the place for batting brilliance had always been in the bastions of Mumbai. However, at one point, it was a young, anonymous fast bowler from the city of dreams who broke all that was known and went about winning everyone’s hearts. Not that this young wonder was a just any pacer, rather he was Dhawal Kulkarni, the most inspiring story of dedication and hardwork that now, is told to all the young fast bowlers in Mumbai.
Dhawal Kulkarni’s Early Yet Impressive Years In Domestic Cricket
The journey started in the under-17 Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2005-06, when a tall and lean boy with a pace clocking mid-130’s emerged as a force to reckon with. While Mumbai was known for its batting masterclass, Dhawal Kulkarni brought a refreshing change by storming into the domestic circuit with his lethal pace. He was soon noticed by the selectors and had fantastic performances at the Under-19 state level, where he took 8 for 47 against Tamil Nadu, which got him into the India U-19 team for the 2007 tour to Sri Lanka. There, Kulkarni again stunned everyone and got himself a place in the Mumbai Ranji Team for the 2008 season, where his debut season was phenomenal. Dhawal Kulkarni ended the season as the Ranji Trophy’s highest wicket-taker, with 42 wickets, playing an important role in Mumbai’s title-winning campaign.
Dhawal Kulkarni’s Maiden India Call-Up
Dhawal’s career didn’t stop there. His exceptional rise led him to the national team, with a call-up for the India Test squad in 2009 for the tour of New Zealand. However, it was in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy season that he made history for himself. Dhawal has led Mumbai to their 40th Ranji Trophy win by taking the match-winning five-wicket hauls both in the semifinal and final, out of which his spell is worth mentioning of 5/32 against Saurashtra in the finals. His performances were so consistent that he was soon called into the India A team for the 2014 Quadrangular series, where he played an important role in India’s title win.
Dhawal Kulkarni Shines With Both Bat And Ball At The Rajasthan Royals
Dhawal Kulkarni’s IPL journey started with the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2008, however he truly found himself as the lead bowler of a bowling attack the year he joined the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2014. His line and length immaculate, Dhawal was one of the most dependable bowlers for the Royals, often coming up when it mattered the most – delivering crucial breakthroughs. Dhawal was bowling brilliantly. What came as a shock to everyone was his batting. He struck some serious blows out of the park in one of the games against the Chennai Super Kings in Dubai. With such high-scoring nature of IPL 2014, Dhawal’s bowling economy rate of 8.18 stood out as he showed how to control the game and stop the runs from flowing.
Dhawal Kulkarni’s International Debut
September 02, 2014 will always have some fond memories. Dhawal Kulkarni made his international debut in September 2014 when India toured England. In the home series that was held later the same year at home against Sri Lanka, Dhawal performed even better, taking eight wickets at an average of just 18.62. His career reached a new height when he represented India at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia.
Dhawal Kulkarni At IPL 2015
Dhawal Kulkarni continued to dominate in the IPL. Playing for the Rajasthan Royals in 2015, he single-handedly dismantled the batting line-up of Sunrisers Hyderabad with figures of 2/9 in three overs, providing the critical breakthroughs when his team needed it most.
Dhawal Kulkarni Blows RCB Top Order In IPL 2016
In IPL 2016, the Rajasthan Royals were suspended along with the Chennai Super Kings due to obvious reasons and Dhawal Kulkarni found himself donning the orange kit of the newly established Gujarat Lions. Speaking of Dhawal at the Gujarat Lions, how can we even forget him dismantling the ferocious Royal Challengers Bengaluru top order.
Dhawal and his Gujarat Lions were up against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in front of a daunting Chinnaswamy crowd in the playoffs of IPL 2016. The dangerous looking Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle were out to bat. We all know Virat was only upto smashing every bowler for a four or a six in IPL 2016. Dhawal Kulkarni was given the charge to handle the new ball. He marked his run-up in the second over of the innings and soon dismissed Virat Kohli for a duck. Dhawal soon came in for his second over and bamboozled the dangerous looking Chris Gayle this time for a score of 9 off 11.
https://www.iplt20.com/video/5031
Dhawal was breathing fire. He went on dismissing KL Rahul for a duck the very next ball. It seemed that Dhawal was bowling rockets at the RCB batters and RCB were falling like a pack of cards in front of Dhawal Kulkarni. Dhawal’s fourth wicket came in the form of Sachin Baby. Through the innings Dhawal Kulkarni made sure that RCB was completely under pressure. Dhawal Kulkarni roared at Chinnaswamy as the lead bowler for the Gujarat Lions.
Dhawal Kulkarni continued with the Gujarat Lions for IPL 2017 as well.
Dhawal Kulkarni Shows Athleticism In IPL 2019
Dhawal was back with the Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2018-2019 season.
Dhawal’s 2019 IPL season will always be remembered for his outstanding catch at long-off against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. SRH just needed 82 off 55 and were right in the hunt while chasing a target of 199. SRH’s Jonny Bairstow was set on 45 off 27 deliveries with the intention to go hard and cross the boundary rope as much as he can. However there was no escape. Dhawal Kulkarni was at the boundary and his fielding was as tight as that of a high security prison. Dhawal took a screamer just as the ball was going to cross the boundary ropes. Bairstow was completely shocked and his face could tell it all. None had expected that ball in the hands of a fielder with the amount of force and speed it was traveling at. Dhawal was then awarded with the ‘VIVO Perfect Catch Of The Match’ award for his sharp reflexes and impeccable timing.
Dhawal Kulkarni’s Return To Mumbai Indians In IPL 2020
Years have gone by and the face of Dhawal Kulkarni has become synonymous with consistency and dependability in the IPL. In 2020, Dhawal returned to the franchise where it all started for him, Mumbai Indians, to collect another IPL trophy with his side winning the title when they defeated Delhi Capitals in the finals.
Dhawal Kulkarni played his last IPL game in 2021.
Overall in the 92 IPL games he played, Dhawal Kulkarni has 86 wickets under his name and a IPL career best of 4-14. Interestingly, he has bowled 1787 deliveries in the IPL since his debut in the tournament and has a fantastic economy of 8.31 in a tournament in which bowlers easily go for 10 and above.
Dhawal Kulkarni’s Legacy In Ranji Trophy
It was not just Dhawal Kulkarni’s performances in T20 cricket that earned Dhawal respect. His consistency in domestic cricket was unmatched. Over the years, he became Mumbai’s leading fast bowler, picking up over 200 first-class wickets and delivering match-winning performances in moments. Whether it was his five-wicket hauls in the 2008-09, 2012-13 and 2015-16 Ranji Trophy finals or his match-winning knock of 87 in the 2009-10 Ranji final, Dhawal proved that he could perform in the toughest of situations.
FUN FACT – Being A Bowler, Dhawal Kulkarni Has A Century In Grassroots Level Cricket
In the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy season, Dhawal was once again Mumbai’s leading wicket-taker, ending the season with 21 wickets in just six matches.
Dhawal Kulkarni’s Career Finale
And then, there was 2024, when Dhawal Kulkarni rounded off a long and glorious career by helping Mumbai win their 42nd Ranji Trophy title. In a fitting end to his innings, he was the best bowler for Mumbai, taking the last wicket in the final against Vidarbha, in what would ultimately be his last first-class appearance. It was a fairy-tale ending to a career.
Dhawal Kulkarni Leaves Behind His Legacy
From his early days in the domestic circuit to his defining moments on the international level and in the IPL, Dhawal Kulkarni’s career has been one that surely would be spoken about in Mumbai cricket’s folklore. His legacy will live on for years to come as one of the finest fast bowlers in Indian cricket, especially at the domestic level. As the curtains closed on his first-class career, Dhawal Kulkarni left behind a story of passion, commitment and a true love for the game.
We wish Dhawal a very happy birthday.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye
