Dhawal Kulkarni

Dhawal Kulkarni is a 19-year-old cricket player from Mumbai, India. Kulkarni is best known for his performances for the Mumbai Indians in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League. The slim fast bowler has also played for India A, India Under-19s, Mumbai, and Mumbai Cricket Association President's XI in his short career.

Kulkarni first came into the spotlight as part of Mumbai’s Under-17 team in the 2005-06 Vijay Merchant Trophy. He followed that up with note-worthy performances at the U-19 state level, which included bowling figures of 8-47 against Tamil Nadu. These displays helped Dhawal Kulkarni book a place on the India U-19 tour to Sri Lanka in 2007.

After some impressive performances at the U-19 level, Kulkarni was rewarded with a place in the Mumbai ODI Ranji Trophy team as well as a place in the Mumbai Indians squad for the Indian Premier League.

At the First-Class and List A levels, Dhawal Kulkarni has picked up a total of 11 wickets from 10 matches. Kulkarni was entrusted with bowling at the death during the Mumbai Indians’ Indian Premier League campaign. Although unsuccessful at first, the youngster got to grips with the pressure and demanding conditions to steadily improve his performance as the season progressed. He played a total of 11 games for the Mumbai Indians and picked up 12 wickets, with best figures of 3 for 33.