A heartfelt scene unfolded on day two of the Ranji Trophy final, a poignant moment that transcended the usual competitive spirit of cricket as the Mumbai squad lined up to pay homage to their departing colleague, Dhawal Kulkarni. Just before the commencement of play, the seasoned bowler was revered by his teammates with a ceremonial guard of honour—a tribute befitting a commendable stalwart of domestic cricket.
Kulkarni, adorned in his cricket whites, walked through the column of applauding players as he shook hands with his captain, Ajinkya Rahane. The famed Wankhede crowd joined in the acknowledgment, offering a rousing reception, acknowledging the prodigious contributions of the veteran to Mumbai cricket over the years.
A video capturing this emotional tribute to Dhawal Kulkarni quickly made rounds on social media, inviting an outpouring of respect and admiration from fans and stakeholders of the cricketing fraternity alike.
With an illustrious domestic career spanning 15 years, Kulkarni has been a linchpin of Mumbai’s bowling attack. Throughout his tenure, he has featured in 95 first-class matches, collecting 281 wickets at an admirable average of 27.31. And as if to underscore his enduring prowess, Kulkarni had already taken three vital Vidarbha wickets on the opening day of the final, with impressive figures of 3/15 in the 11 overs bowled.
Vidarbha’s batsmen struggled to stamp their authority against a disciplined Mumbai bowling line-up, which has been the case thus far in the game. The scoreboard reflected Vidarbha’s woes having been bowled out for a paltry total of 105 runs in the first innings. The Mumbai bowlers shared the spoils, with Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian also claiming three wickets each. For Vidarbha, batsmen such as Dhruv Shorey and Karun Nair faltered, both departing without troubling the scorers.
In this high-stakes match, the team sheets read like a who’s who of domestic cricket. Mumbai’s playing XI boasts names such as the young opener Prithvi Shaw, the consistent Bhupen Lalwani, and the middle-order bulwark Shreyas Iyer. On the other hand, Vidarbha’s line-up includes Atharva Taide, Dhruv Shorey, seasoned campaigner Karun Nair, and they are led by the wicketkeeper-batsman Akshay Wadkar.
The star of the moment, Kulkarni, continues to demonstrate that even as he steps away from the game, his impact remains indelible. His disciplined bowling and invaluable experience have been instrumental in setting the tone for Mumbai, giving them the upper hand as they chase yet another esteemed Ranji Trophy title.
The Ranji Trophy, a premier first-class cricket championship played in India, has seen many heroes over its storied history, but few can claim the sustained success and the heartfelt departure that Dhawal Kulkarni has experienced. Whether it’s the skill he displayed with the ball in hand or the admiration he commanded from teammates and opponents alike, Kulkarni’s legacy in domestic cricket is assured.
As the final unfolds, Mumbai will look to consolidate on the strong foundation laid by their veteran bowler and the team’s collective effort. While Vidarbha will hope to rally and mount a formidable comeback, the tale of the match may well be the fitting finale to Kulkarni’s remarkable career—a career now immortalized by the guard of honour and the collective acknowledgment of the cricketing community.
