Dhawal Kulkarni gave me shoes when I did not have money: Shardul Thakur

In a heartfelt gesture, Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur paid tribute to his long-time Mumbai teammate Dhawal Kulkarni, who is set to bid adieu to the game after the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024 final between Mumbai and Vidarbha at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.

The 32-year-old all-rounder, who has so far represented India in all three formats, acknowledged Kulkarni's role in shaping his career from a young age.

After the end of the opening day's play, Thakur lauded Kulkarni's mentorship and expressed, “It (playing his last FC game) was (an) extremely emotional moment for him and me also.”

“I have watched him since childhood. He has helped me also at times with my bowling. When I did not have money to buy the shoes, he gave me a few pairs of shoes also. So, he has helped me a lot,” he added.

Reflecting on his journey, Thakur expressed, “I love to play in tough situations, tough conditions. The kind of life that I have lived travelling far from Palghar to Mumbai with the kit bag on the train. You know it was not easy. So, I think that has toughened me up. And whenever I face a tough situation, challenging situation, it's no different. I just use that mindset that I had as a kid growing up,” he concluded.

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Asked to bat first, the hosts found themselves in a tough spot as they crumbled from 81/0 to 111/6. However, Thakur played a brilliant knock to take his team out of the difficult position. The Palghar-born smashed 75 runs off 69 balls and propelled his side to a total of 224 in 64.3 overs. His innings included eight fours and three sixes.

Thakur contributed with the ball as well, dismissing opener Dhruv Shorey for a duck, while Kulkarni bagged crucial wickets, leaving Vidarbha reeling at 24/3. Eventually, in the first session the following day, the Akshay Wadkar-led side was bundled out for just 105, falling 119 short of Mumbai's first innings aggregate.

Kulkarni, who replaced the injured Mohit Avasthi in the Mumbai playing XI for the final, made his presence felt on Day 1, claiming the wickets of Aman Mokhade and Karun Nair. His teammates honoured him with a guard of honour as he stepped onto the field for the last time in his illustrious domestic career.

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Kulkarni has represented Mumbai in 95 first-class games and has picked 281 wickets so far. The pacer also represented India in 12 ODIs and two T20Is, but unsatisfactory performances and rise of young pacers meant that the Mumbaiker's national career was cut short. Meanwhile, the 41-time champions are in a commanding position in the all-important encounter, as they had a three-figure lead before Prithvi Shaw and Bhupen Lalwani opened on Day 2.