Ex-Mumbai Indians bowler Dhawal Kulkarni announces retirement from cricket

Dhawal Kulkarni is set to retire from cricket after the knockout phase of the Ranji Trophy gets over. He represents Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy and has played 12 ODIs and two T20Is for India. Dhawal Kulkarni had decided to retire from cricket after the group stage of the Ranji Trophy but was asked by the MCA, selectors, and coaches to stay back till the end of the season. Dhawal Kulkarni made his international debut in 2014 against England in Edgbaston in an ODI match.

Dhawal Kulkarni has a terrific record in first-class cricket as he has taken 281 wickets in 95 matches whereas his List A record is also noteworthy with 223 wickets in 130 matches. He has a first-class bowling average of 27.31 and in List A it gets better to 22.13 and in T20s he has taken 154 wickets at an average of 27.99. Dhawal Kulkarni made his Ranji debut for Mumbai in 2008 and emerged as the most successful bowler in the season taking 42 wickets in his debut Ranji season.

After his performances in domestic cricket, Dhawal Kulkarni was included in the Test squad for India against New Zealand in 2009. However, he did not get a game to play in that tour and eventually had to wait for five more years to make his debut for India. In 2014, during the ODI series in England, he got his debut cap in the fourth ODI and later on in the year took eight wickets against Sri Lanka in the home ODI series at an average of 18.62.

Dhawal Kulkarni established himself as one of the leading seamers in domestic cricket and he has performed for Mumbai invariably in big matches which includes the Ranji Trophy finals of 2008-09, 2012-13, and 2015-16. He took a fifer in all these finals and also was the hero for Mumbai in the 2009-10 final where he scored 87 in the second innings against Karnataka which proved critical in a narrow victory.

Dhawal Kulkarni to retire from all forms of cricket

“The MCA, selectors and the coaches requested me to stay back with Mumbai till the end of the season. Once the knockout phase is over, I will retire,” he told reporters as quoted by Sportstar.

“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, said.

“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…”

Dhawal Kulkarni has represented Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, and Gujarat Lions in the IPL. He was the new ball bowler for Mumbai Indians in the first five seasons of the IPL but then moved to Rajasthan Royals in 2013. When Rajasthan Royals was banned for two seasons in the IPL, he was picked up by the newly launched Gujarat Lions. He then rejoined Mumbai Indians and last appeared in an IPL game in the 2021 season.

Dhawal Kulkarni has been a great bowler for Mumbai and was one of the few bowlers who used to swing accurately with the new ball. Mumbai will definitely miss his service in the upcoming seasons and Kulkarni would like to enjoy his last season for Mumbai. He has been one of the most consistent bowlers for Mumbai in domestic cricket and has taken over 650 wickets in his professional cricketing career.