The Ranji Trophy 2023-24 final was an emotional farewell for veteran pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, who has been a workhorse for Mumbai over the years. He had a dream finish to his cricketing career, taking the last wicket to seal Mumbai’s 42nd Ranji Trophy title on March 14 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Dhawal Kulkarni played a pivotal role in Mumbai’s win, picking up four wickets in the match. He got emotional after dismissing Umesh Yadav, the last Vidarbha batter clinching the championship. Mumbai all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who interviewed Dhawal following Mumbai’s win in a video shared by the BCCI called the pacer a “Smiling Assassin”. Dhawal opened up on his farewell match, saying,
“It was quite emotional, the entire game was quite emotional. I knew that I was going to play my last first-class game. But at the same time winning was important, because we had really worked hard, and we won in the end. There were a lot of emotions going up and down. Vidarbha played well, but in the end, Mumbai became the champions.”
Dhawal Kulkarni was brought in by skipper Ajinkya Rahane to bowl after Vidarbha were nine down. He allowed the pacer to finish his career on a high, taking the last wicket. Kulkarni dismissed Umesh Yadav, ending his career with 281 first-class wickets.
“The feeling was good. I knew they had only one wicket in hand. Somewhere I thought, you (Shardul) and Ajinkya had a discussion and after the discussion, both of you looked at me. I was not even ready for that over. But when I held the ball in my hand, I got quite emotional. I wanted an end like this, to pick a wicket in the last over I bowled, luckily I got the wicket,” said Dhawal Kulkarni.
I am an ever-inspired person: Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur laid the foundation of Mumbai’s win with his 75 runs knock in the first innings of the final against Vidarbha in Mumbai. His knock came when Mumbai was in a spot of bother, and bailed them out of it. Shardul also slammed a century in the semi-finals, powering Mumbai to a great win against Tamil Nadu.
“I think I am an ever-inspired person. Last innings in the semi-finals, it was vital for the team to go out there scoring some shots, and getting runs on the board. Honestly, I didn’t think that in the final also I would have to do the same thing. But yet again we were in a tough situation when I went into bat. I am really glad that I could contribute something to the team, that is the kind of player I would love to be known as. I am glad to score those 75 runs in the first innings. I thought it set the game up for us beautifully,” said Shardul Thakur to Dhawal Kulkarni in the BCCI video.
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