IPL was turning point of my career: Dhawal

Young Mumbai medium-pacer Dhawal Kulkarni today credited his stint in last year's Indian Premier League, where he got the chance to rub shoulders with South African fast bowling legend Shaun Pollock among others, as the turning point in his fledgling career.

"The IPL, in which I played for Mumbai Indians, was a big turning point in my career. It gave me the chance to share the dressing room with senior players (Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya and Pollock)," he said after being picked in the Indian team for the upcoming three-Test series in New Zealand. The 20-year-old Mumbai Ranji Trophy bowling spearhead appreciated the advice and tips offered to him by Pollock for his subsequent success in Ranji Trophy in which he emerged the leading wicket-taker with 42 scalps.

"Pollock gave me tips during the IPL which I used in the Ranji Trophy and emerged as the highest wicket-taker," said Kulkarni, who has toured New Zealand earlier with the India Under-19 team. Asserting that he was expecting the call-up for national duty following his fine display in domestic cricket in his debut first class season, Kulkarni said the challenge for bowlers like him in New Zealand would be to adapt to wickets of varying pace.