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In a touching display of camaraderie and respect, the Mumbai cricket team paid tribute to their departing veteran, Dhawal Kulkarni, with a guard of honour on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha.
Ajinkya Rahane leads the tribute
Led by captain Ajinkya Rahane, the Mumbai players lined up to honor Kulkarni’s illustrious career and significant contributions to Mumbai cricket. Kulkarni, visibly moved by the gesture, walked through the guard of honour amid cheers and applause from teammates and spectators alike.
Here is the video:
I.C.Y.M.I
The Mumbai team gave a Guard Of Honour on Day 1 to Dhawal Kulkarni, who is playing his final first-class game 👏@dhawal_kulkarni | @IDFCFIRSTBank | #Final | #MUMvVID
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/k7JhkLhOID pic.twitter.com/LTCs0142fc— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) March 11, 2024
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Dhawal Kulkarni: A stalwart’s journey
Kulkarni, a right-arm pacer, made his mark in First-Class cricket with a stellar debut in 2008. His impactful performance in the Ranji Trophy’s maiden campaign, where he secured the highest number of wickets (42), set the tone for a remarkable career with Mumbai. With 284 wickets in 96 matches, Kulkarni’s influence on Mumbai cricket has been undeniable, despite not representing India in red-ball cricket.
Mumbai in the driver’s seat
On the field, Mumbai displayed dominance in the final, asserting their superiority over Vidarbha. Restricting Vidarbha to a mere 105 runs in response to Mumbai’s 224 in the first innings, Mumbai’s bowlers, led by Kulkarni, wreaked havoc. Tanush Koitan and Shams Mulani joined Kulkarni in the wicket-taking spree, leaving Vidarbha reeling.
In reply, Mumbai showed resilience, reaching 141/2 by the end of Day 2. Despite losing early wickets, Musheer Khan and skipper Ajinkya steadied the ship with an unbeaten 107-run partnership for the third wicket. With Musheer on 51 and Ajinkya on 58, Mumbai holds a commanding lead of 260 runs.
