Young pacer Anjdeep Lad credits Mumbai’s veteran fast bowler Dhawal Kulkarni, the captain of Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs, for helping him prepare for his debut in T20 Mumbai.

A debut match can be a distressing experience for many, especially for a 19-year-old, but having a proper support system can help calm those nerves.

Anjdeep Lad found that support and guidance from his captain Dhawal Kulkarni, who has also donned the jersey for the Indian cricket team.

“I was a little bit nervous because it was my first televised match. I was lucky to have a captain like Dhawal Kulkarni,” revealed Anjdeep Lad in an interview with the Cricketgraph website.

“He guided me a lot. From the pre-camp right to the first match. When you’re playing such an important match in a professional league like T20 Mumbai, you need to have people that you can talk to and you’re comfortable with.”

Having represented the Indian team in T20 Internationals and One-Day Internationals, Dhawal Kulkarni is one of the most experienced cricketers in Mumbai cricket.

Anjdeep Lad wasn’t the only one to have benefited from the experience and advice of Dhawal Kulkarni. The Indian speedster constantly provided assistance to the youngsters of Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs.

“Dhawal da was there if I wanted to ask anything. ‘Dhawal bhai, what should I practice? What should I be ready for?’

“He was guiding me and all the pace bowlers. In fact, he led the entire team very brilliantly,” reckoned Anjdeep Lad.

Under Dhawal Kulkarni’s captaincy, Anjdeep Lad made a remarkable debut against Triumph Knights Mumbai North East with an inspiring spell that fetched him two important wickets -- including that of Akash Parkar -- in two overs at an enviable economy of just six.

With help from fellow pacer Arjun Tendulkar, the newly-formed squad of Aakash Tigers restricted the Knights to 147 and chased down the target with three balls to spare, thus starting their campaign on a positive note.