(Dhawal Kulkarni)
On Wednesday, Dhawal Kulkarni, who spearheaded the pace attack for the Mumbai Ranji team over several seasons, was named as the bowling mentor for the premier domestic side across all formats in the upcoming 2024-25 season. The decision was announced following a meeting of the Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) apex council.
Kulkarni, who represented India in 12 ODIs and two T20Is from 2014 to 2016, retired from all cricket formats after contributing to Mumbai’s victory in the prestigious Ranji Trophy for a record 42nd time in the previous season.
The seasoned right-arm pacer, with 96 first-class appearances under his belt, amassed 285 wickets. Additionally, he secured 223 dismissals in 130 List-A matches and claimed 154 scalps in 162 T20 outings.
In another development, the apex council of the MCA decided to honor the legendary batsman and former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar on his 75th birthday, scheduled for July 10.
“We have appointed Dhawal Kulkarni as the bowling mentor for the upcoming season. Additionally, Mr Amol Kale (president) proposed and the Apex Council unanimously approved to honour Mr Sunil Gavaskar on his 75th birthday,” MCA secretary Ajinkya Naik said.
The 35-year-old Kulkarni, who was recently involved as a commentator in the Indian Premier League, had hinted about the possibility of taking up a coaching role in future after his retirement in March.
“I’ve not thought about it much but cricket has given me so much that I want to give it back to the game, whether it be coaching or whatever role that I get. So everything I do in the future, it will be around cricket,” Kulkarni had said after Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy win at the Wankhede Stadium.
During the meeting, it was agreed that the MCA would commemorate the iconic Wankhede Stadium’s 50th anniversary this year by releasing a stamp and publishing a coffee table book.
