Dhawal Kulkarni: The 32-year old pacer has been included into the Playing XI for the first time this season by the defending champions.
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During the 27th match of the ongoing 14th season of the Indian Premier League between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in Delhi, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma has won the toss and chose to field.
“We will bowl first. Looks like a good pitch, will only get better and better as the game progresses. For us, every game is important, don’t want top look too forward, tuck all the small boxes and get things right,” Sharma told Star Sports at the toss.
Much like Sharma, Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni also wanted to field first as he expressed surprise with respect to the pitch at the Feroz Shah Kotla.
“We were looking to field first also. The pitch has been surprisingly good. The wicket was got better for batting in the second half; it has been good at the start too. We’re playing the same side,” Dhoni told Star Sports at the toss.
Dhawal Kulkarni stats
Being asked about their changes, Sharma mentioned that they have included all-rounder James Neesham and pacer Dhawal Kulkarni for the likes of Jayant Yadav and Nathan Coulter-Nile.
“We have some tactical changes. It’s important to understand the conditions and the opposition. James Neesham comes in place of Jayant Yadav. Dhawal Kulkarni replaces Nathan Coulter-Nile.” Sharma added.
Kulkarni, 32, had made his IPL debut for Indians in the inaugural season in 2008. Having represented them in six season, Kulkarni had subsequently moved to Rajasthan Royals (twice) and Gujarat Lions.
It was last year that Kulkarni had begun his second stint for Mumbai but got only one match throughout the season. In 34 matches for MI, Kulkarni has dismissed 36 batsmen at an average of 24.11, an economy rate of 7.95 and a strike rate of 18.19.
Overall, in 91 IPL matches, Kulkarni’s 86 wickets have come at an average of 28.21, an economy rate of 8.26 and strike rate of 20.50.
