Ranji Trophy Final: Farewell fireworks from forgotten Dhawal Kulkarni puts Mumbai in command

It’s January 2009. Dhawal Kulkarni is 20, in his debut season. He runs in like a breeze, swings the ball and deceives batsmen. He’s the highest wicket-taker in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy triumph, including a five-for in the final. Kulkarni’s prodigious talent, though, is dwarfed by another prodigy, Rohit Sharma.

It’s February 2015. Kulkarni is now 27 and a starting 11 regular. His military medium and pinpoint accuracy still trouble batsmen across teams, as the 19 wickets – and another five-for in the final – attest. Mumbai win another Ranji title. But it’s Shreyas Iyer’s season.

March 2023. Kulkarni is 35, playing his farewell match for Mumbai in which they took a 260-run lead over Vidarbha at stumps on Day 2. He’s lost a yard or two of his pace. But unfailingly finds the channel outside the off-stump. The three Vidarbha wickets he picks put Mumbai within touching distance of the 42nd title. But he’s almost an afterthought.

I.C.Y.M.I

The Mumbai team gave a Guard Of Honour on Day 1 to Dhawal Kulkarni, who is playing his final first-class game 👏@dhawal_kulkarni | @IDFCFIRSTBank | #Final | #MUMvVID
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— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) March 11, 2024

They talk about everyone who’s not here for the final – the Yashasvi Jaiswals and Sarfaraz Khans – owing to national team duty. They even talk about some who have been sent back from national team duty to be here – the Shardul Thakurs and Shreyas Iyers. The focus is on the next-gen, Musheer Khan who got a crucial half-century on Monday in his maiden final – and the multi-tasking Tanush Kotian.

It’s keeping with the trend of Kulkarni’s career. A skilful seam bowler who rose to become a domestic giant but he remained just that. In his decade-and-a-half wearing the Mumbai shirt, he’s seen many of his seniors, contemporaries and now the juniors grow to become India mainstays.

As he ends his long association, Kulkarni spoke longingly about his main ‘regret’ of not being able to break into the Test squad. His military medium may have gotten him far in his career, but not far enough.

But in his parting shot, he landed a big blow to Vidarbha’s hopes.

When Kulkarni was picked in the 11 for the final against Vidarbha, ahead of their leading wicket-taker Mohit Avasthi who had a ‘niggle’, his place was questioned. But for what it’s worth, he has also been a proven match-winner for Mumbai in big matches, having picked up five-fors in the Ranji finals of 2008/09, 2012/13 and 2015/16.

It wasn’t a five-wicket spell this time but his figures of 3/15 did enough damage to put his team firmly in control of the final. And if his career had to be shrunk into a short reel, the four-ball spell in the first session would be enough.

Ajinkya Rahane has played some cracking strokes so far on his way to a crucial half-century 🙌 📽️@ajinkyarahane88 | @IDFCFIRSTBank | #Final | #MUMvVID

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/k7JhkLhOID pic.twitter.com/S4yjwLE03r

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) March 11, 2024

The first ball was pitched at a good length and seamed away from Atharva Taide, the angle making it extra tricky. The batsman is lured into a shot and gets beaten.

Kulkarni pitched the next around the off but this time, got it to jag back in. Taide completely misses it and the ball thuds onto his pads in front of the stumps. Without any hesitation, the umpire gives it out. But it’s missing the leg stump. The batsman survived.

The third is a solid bouncer. Not menacing but angled it towards Taide’s body and he’s forced to take evasive action.

The fourth delivery is a length ball around the fourth stump and moves away, just enough movement to entice the batsman forward and this time, Kulkarni finds the edge that’s easily caught by the ’keeper.

It was a beautiful set-up of a talented player who has amassed more than 500 runs this season, the second-most by a Vidarbha batsman.

The wicket opened up Vidarbha’s batting line-up, which was cleaned up without much fuss by spinners Kotian and Shams Mulani who, like Kulkarni, took three wickets each.

The medium pacer led the team back to the dressing room after Mumbai got a healthy first-innings lead in the final, a sign of the high regard his teammates have for him. On Sunday, Shardul Thakur recalled how Kulkarni got shoes for him when he couldn’t afford to buy a pair.

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On Monday, Mulani spoke glowingly as well. “It was emotional for all of us, of course for him too (to pick 3 wickets). He didn’t play the last four games but it didn’t feel like it,” Mulani said. “We needed those wickets of their crucial batsmen and he did it again. As he always has.”

By the time the team retreated to the pavilion, Kulkarni’s contribution ended up being a footnote. Ajinkya Rahane’s return to form and Musheer Khan’s continuing rise – both scoring unbeaten 50s – had taken the attention away from him. Then again, that’s been the story of Kulkarni’s career.

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