Picture Credit: Mumbai Indians
In a big development in the Indian Premier League, five-time champions Mumbai Indians have signed experienced pacer Dhawal Kulkarni for the remainder of the season. The decision has been taken by the franchise after their pacers' underwhelming performance in IPL 2022.
It is being reported that Kulkarni might be considered for a place in the Playing XI if he manages to do well in the training sessions. As per sources close to the development, the 33-year-old pacer has even joined the team's bio-bubble and is set to start training pretty soon.
It is pertinent to note that Kulkarni was part of the commentary team of the host broadcasters and was seen during pre-match, mid-innings and post-match shows on television apart from commenting on the game before he got a call up from the franchise after a disastrous start to the season for MI.
A few reports have also suggested that captain Rohit Sharma was keen on having the services of the right arm fast bowler as he feels the 33-year-old's experience of bowling on Mumbai pitches can come in handy.
Meanwhile, the season looks well and truly over for the most successful side in IPL history as they have lost their first 8 matches of the season. While SportsTiger looks at the outside chance that may still help them reach the final four, that remains a remote possibility.
Having said that, the team would still want to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and stitch a few wins together before looking at what lies ahead and perhaps Kulkarni's signing remains an attempt to do just that.
The right-arm pacer has played 92 IPL matches and has scalped 86 wickets at an average of 28.77 and an economy of 8.31. His best figures in an IPL match read 4/14. More importantly, Kulkarni has the ability to swing the ball which can come in handy, given how the competition has progressed so far this season.
MI will take on Rajasthan Royals in their next match at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Saturday.
