Mumbai, March 14 -- Dhawal Kulkarni who enjoyed a fairytale ending to his first-class career was touched by Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane's gesture of handing him the ball in the Ranji Trophy final to finish off the game instead of Tushar Deshpande.

Kulkarni breached Umesh Yadav's defence and shattered the leg stump to end Mumbai's eight-year wait of lifting the Ranji Trophy title.

With tears glistening in his eyes, Kulkarni walked off the field, bringing an end to his first-class career after handing Mumbai their 42nd Ranji Trophy title.

"It's a cricketer's dream to start and finish on a high. This is my 6th final, 5th time we've won and this will be dear for me. It was an excellent gesture, I didn't expect (that Rahane would give him...