Dhawal Kulkarni, the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy with 42 scalps, finds a place in the Test squad for the NZ tour.
Friday the 13th turned out to be the most special day for Dhawal Kulkarni. The 20-year-old was picked for the Indian Test squad for the forthcoming three-match series against New Zealand starting next month. However, the feeling of being selected in the Indian team is yet to sink in for the young pace bowler who was the highest wicket taker in the Ranji Trophy this season with 42 wickets from nine games.
“It feels great getting into the side. This is the most special day of my life. I was expecting a call as I was the highest wicket-taker of the season. So it wasn’t a surprise. However, the feeling is yet to sink in,” Dhawal said.
Kulkarni, who reached Rajkot on Friday evening for the West Zone Ranji one dayers, said it was the busiest day of his life. “I was practising with the Mumbai team at the MCA’s BKC ground in the morning when some reporters informed me about my selection. From then on, the phone has not stopped ringing,” he remarked.
The young medium-pacer’s immediate target is to do well in the Ranji Trophy one-dayers for Mumbai. “I am focusing on the Ranji one dayers. I would not like to shift my attention from it as it is one of the important tournaments of the season,” he added.
Dhawal has had a successful Ranji Trophy season and it was his consistent line and length that fetched him the wickets. “I just stuck to the basics and did not go for anything extraordinary,” he told DNA.
The Balmohan boy, who last year played for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League and has already got a big salary hike from the team ($20000 to $70000), is excited to share the dressing room with the senior players. “I am going to learn a lot from this tour,” he said.
Dhawal, who was pursuing science from Rizvi College, wanted to become a pilot. “Destiny had other plans. To represent my country is great and I would try to live up to the expectations.”
In 2007, the youngster had toured New Zealand with the India U-19 side and is quite familiar with the conditions. “I had a five wicket haul in one of the matches and I know the conditions there. You have to hit the deck hard and put the ball in the right areas,” he added. Dhawal credited his success to his parents and friends. “I feel I am here right now because of my parents, friends and everyone who has supported me.”
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