‘Mumbai Cha Yoddha’: Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar praise Dhawal Kulkarni after Ranji Trophy win | Cricket News

Dhawal Kulkarni enjoyed a fairytale end to his first-class career when Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane handed the ball to him instead of Tushar in the Ranji Trophy final He was moved by Tushar Deshpande’s gesture. Kulkarni broke through Umesh Yadav’s defense and shattered the leg stump, ending the Mumbai captain’s eight-year wait for a Ranji Trophy title.

With tears in his eyes, Kulkarni walked off the field to end his first-class career by winning the 42nd Ranji Trophy title for Mumbai.

“Starting and finishing on a high is a cricketer’s dream. This is my sixth final and our fifth win, which is precious to me. It’s a good gesture and I didn’t expect that (Rahan) would have given him the ball to end the game) but hats off to Tushar for giving the ball to me despite taking two wickets in one game. I have experience as I have been with big stars Playing football, they shared a lot of experience with me and I have passed on the same to the younger players,” Kulkarni said after the match.

Congratulations @dhawal_kulkarni Had a great career.Your dedication and discipline make you one of the @MumbaiCricAssocThe most important player of the past 15 years. You ended your brilliant run today by taking the last wicket against Vidarbha… pic.twitter.com/CNSLfIFJ7E

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 14, 2024

Overall, Kulkarni played a memorable final as he took three wickets in the first innings while conceding only 15 runs in his 11 overs. In the second innings, the 35-year-old missed a run but eventually Umesh lost his wicket to the experienced pacer to get his first run.

Earlier on the final day, Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar and Harsh Dubey put up a heroic effort to ensure that they did not lose a wicket as they chased 537 in the first session, leaving Mumbai frustrated.

However, Vidarbha lost the remaining wickets in five overs after a clinical bowling by Mumbai after Wadekar (102) was dismissed.

Mumbai ended their eight-year wait for the Ranji Trophy title with a 169-run victory.