Mumbai made a big move, appointed Dhawal Kulkarni as bowling mentor for the upcoming season

 

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has appointed Dhawal Kulkarni as its bowling mentor for the upcoming domestic season. Kulkarni will play the role of bowling mentor for all age-group teams of Mumbai. The decision comes soon after Kulkarni announced his retirement from cricket in March 2024 after Mumbai's 42nd Ranji Trophy title win.

Kulkarni retired after a stellar domestic career spanning 16 years, in which he took 285 wickets in 96 first-class matches. He was equally successful in white-ball cricket, taking 223 wickets in 130 List A games and 154 wickets in 162 T20Is. The right-arm pacer also represented India in 12 ODIs and two T20Is, taking 19 and 3 wickets respectively.

After an emotional Ranji final against Vidarbha, the 35-year-old said, "I haven't thought much about it but cricket has given me so much that I want to give back to the game, whether it is coaching or whatever role I get. I want to give back to cricket. So, whatever I do in the future, it will be around cricket."

Addressing the media, MCA secretary Ajinkya Naik confirmed Kulkarni's appointment as bowling mentor. "We have decided to appoint Dhawal Kulkarni as bowling mentor for the upcoming season. At the same time, Amol Kale (MCA president) proposed and the apex council unanimously approved the decision to honour Sunil Gavaskar on the occasion of his 75th birthday," Ajinkya Naik told TOI. 

This is not the first time the MCA has honoured Mumbai's legendary cricketers. In 2021, they presented a special box to Gavaskar on completing 50 years in international cricket. Last year, they built a statue of legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar on his 50th birthday. The association also named a stand at the Wankhede Stadium after former captain Dilip Vengsarkar.