Dhawal Kulkarni cries after Ajinkya Rahane’s unexpected performance in Ranji final | Cricket | Top Vip News

After a wicketless first session on Day 5 of the Ranji Trophy final, Mumbai finally found solace after lunch. In Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande, they found an ideal pairing to storm Vidarbha’s lower order after dogged resistance from captain Akshay Wadkar and all-rounder Harsh Dubey. Kotian challenged both edges of the bat while Deshpande bounced off the Vidarbha tail. In a matter of 28 balls, Mumbai got four wickets – two from Kotian and two from Deshpande. It was Kotian who broke the frustrating stand by getting Wadkar for 102. Deshpande then used the short ball to good effect to end Dubey’s resistance (65).

Kotian and Deshpande were quick to dismiss Aditya Sarwate (3) and Yash Thakur (6). Mumbai were one step away from ending an 8-year wait for a Ranji Trophy title, a record they would extend to 42. Kotian and Deshpande were on top of the Vidarbha batsman and had shown no signs of fatigue. But Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane thought otherwise.

He threw the ball to Dhawal Kulkarni, the man who played his last first-class match. The veteran right-arm seamer who had taken Vidarbha’s first wicket in the final did not disappoint. He bowled it, Umesh Yadav crossed the line and the ball clattered off the stumps. Kulkarni stretched out his arms, closed his eyes, and let it sink in. His companions were running helter-skelter. Mumbai won the match by 169 runs and with that claimed their 42nd Ranji Trophy title.

Dhawal Kulkarni moved by Ajinkya Rahane’s gesture

Kulkarni, who picked up three wickets with the new ball in the first innings, knew it was the last time he would appear in a Mumbai jersey. He tried his best but he couldn’t control his emotions. Tears rolled down his cheeks even as his teammates hugged him.

It was a fitting end for a man who had been an ardent servant of Mumbai cricket for over a decade and a half. After the match, he said that he did not expect Rahane to deliver the ball to him, especially when Deshpande was playing so well.

“It’s a cricketer’s dream to start and finish on a high. This is my sixth final, the fifth time we’ve won and this will be very dear to me. It was an excellent gesture, I didn’t expect (Rahane to give him the ball for finish the game), but I take my hat off to Tushar, who gave me the ball despite taking two wickets in one over. I have experience because I have played with big stars, they have shared a lot of experience with me. and the same has happened to him. to the younger ones,” Kulkarni said after the match.

Overall, Kulkarni had a memorable final as he claimed three wickets in the first innings and gave up just 15 runs in his 11 overs. In the second innings, the 35-year-old leaked runs but eventually got his first run and Umesh lost his wicket to the experienced pacer. He finished his career with 281 wickets in 95 first-class matches. He has also represented India in 12 ODIs and 2 T20Is.

The Mumbai Cricket Association congratulated Kulkarni. His wife and children also joined him on the field.

Earlier on the final day, Mumbai were left frustrated after Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar and Harsh Dubey battled valiantly to ensure they did not lose a single wicket in the first session as they chased 537.

However, after the dismissal of Wadkar (102), Vidarbha lost the remaining wickets in a span of five overs following a clinical spell of bowling from Mumbai.

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