Indian T20 League 2022: Mumbai to rope in Dhawal Kulkarni?

According to the reports, medium pacer Dhawal Kulkarni might be able to play in the ongoing Indian T20 League 2022. The pacer who went unsold during the mega auction in February this year might be considered by Mumbai. Currently, he is a part of the commentary team for the 2022 edition. However, the 33-year-old will be considered only if a player gets injured.

The Mumbai-born has played in the cash-rich from 2008 to 2021. In the first five years, he played for the five-time winners. In 2014, he was signed by Rajasthan and played for the team till 2015. After the suspension of the 2008-winners, he played for the now-defunct Gujarat-based franchise in 2016 and 2017. Next year, he was bought by Rajasthan and was a part of their team till 2019. In seasons 2020 and 2021, the right-arm bowler played for Mumbai.

Talking about his numbers, he has played 92 games and has 86 scalps to his name averaging 28.76. He has an economy rate of 8.3. He was a part of Mumbai’s title-winning campaign in 2013, as well as 2020. Meanwhile, the former champions have been struggling in the 15th season. Out of the six games they have played, the Rohit Sharma-led side have lost all of them. Currently, they are languishing at the bottom of the points table and are struggling.

They need to win all their remaining eight games, and that is a huge ask. The team is struggling in the bowling department as they have leaked runs at more than nine runs per over. Jasprit Bumrah, who has been the leader of their pace bowling attack over the years, has only picked four wickets so far. The team would like to improve on their bowling and Kulkarni could be a good option. It will be interesting to see whether he gets a chance or not.

Meanwhile, the Rohit Sharma-led side will play next against their ‘El Classico’ rivals, Chennai, who have themselves won only one out of their six games so far.