Dhawal Sunil Kulkarni

Full Name: Dhawal Sunil Kulkarni

Born: 10th December 1988, Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India

Batting: Right-hand batsman

Bowling: Right-arm medium pace

A lanky pacer with a pleasing attitude, Dhawal Kulkarni is a constantly improving young bowler from the cricket dynasty of Mumbai. After a sensational debut season with Mumbai in 2008-09, the 21-year-old, soft-spoken Kulkarni's life has been thrown into the fast lane.

Kulkarni thrives on consistency; prior to making his first-class debut, he had already ended as the joint second highest wicket-taker for the Mumbai Indians in the inaugural season of the IPL. Later that year, he began his Ranji Trophy career with a five-wicket haul, and finished as the leading wicket taker with 42 scalps. In the process, he helped Mumbai clinch their 38th title. These stellar performances earned Kulkarni a ticket to New Zealand as a part of the prestigious Test squad.

He first came into the spotlight with his performances for Mumbai Under-17s in the 2005-06 Vijay Merchant Trophy. He progressed to the Under-19s and was picked in the India Under-19 squad for the tour of Sri Lanka in 2007. Subsequently, he was selected in Mumbai's one-day squad.

Constantly aiming for accuracy in his bowling, Kulkarni has chosen a fitting idol in Glenn McGrath. "No one can match his (McGrath's) accuracy. I had the privilege to get some tips from him during the Indian Premier League,'' Kulkarni said just after he was chosen for India's Test squad last year.

In recent months, Kulkarni's positive attitude has rubbed off on his batting as well. He was part of a match-turning partnership of 95 runs with Abhishek Nayar in the final of the Ranji Trophy earlier this year. He also made useful contributions during West Zone's win in the Duleep Trophy soon after.

An all-round cricketer with truckloads of talent, Kulkarni is sure to play a key role for Mumbai in 2010 as the IPL returns home.

First-Class Career Batting and Fielding (2008/09-2009/10)

	M	I	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	SRate	Ct
Overall	26	25	13	396	87	33.00	0	2	42.71	10

First-Class Career Bowling (2008/09-2009/10)

	Balls	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	BB	Ave	5wI	10wM	SRate	Econ
Overall	4557	188	2143	85	7-50	25.21	5	0	53.61	2.82

List A Career Batting and Fielding (2007/08-2009/10)

	M	I	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	SRate	Ct
Overall	17	6	5	27	15*	27.00	0	0	79.41	7

List A Career Bowling (2007/08-2009/10)

	Balls	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	BB	Ave	4wI	5wI	SRate	Econ
Overall	782	8	675	20	3-23	33.75	0	0	39.10	5.17

Twenty20 Career Batting and Fielding (2006/07-2009/10)

	M	I	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	SRate	Ct
Overall	23	7	5	16	7*	8.00	0	3	44.44	4

Twenty20 Career Bowling (2006/07-2009/10)

	Balls	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	BB	Ave	4wI	5wI	SRate	Econ
Overall	411	0	557	21	3-33	26.52	0	0	19.57	8.13

Youth Test Career Batting and Fielding (2006/07-2007)

	M	I	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	SRate	Ct
India Under-19s	3	5	1	38	24	9.50	0	0	24.51	2

Youth Test Career Bowling (2006/07-2007)

	Balls	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	BB	Ave	5wI	10wM	SRate	Econ
India Under-19s	474	14	250	11	3-33	22.72	0	0	43.09	3.16