“Dhawal is an investment for the future just as Ishant Sharma was when we selected him for the England tour in 2007 and did not play a single match there. He's got a high arm action and the experience would help him,” Vengsarkar told PTI while reacting to the 20-year-old right-arm pacer's selection.

Kulkarni bagged 49 wickets in his debut first class season, including 42 in the Ranji Trophy, to force his way in.

Pointing out that Kulkarni, a product of the Elf-Vengsarkar Academy, was a good choice, Vengsarkar rued the absence of two other top performers who piloted Mumbai to their 38th Ranji Trophy title this season - team captain and opener Wasim Jaffer and one-down batsman Ajinkya Rahane.

“I feel Ajinkya and Wasim should have been there by the sheer weight of their domestic performance”, Vengsarkar said.

The 20-year-old Rahane, in his second first class season, compiled 1089 runs with a double ton to boot in Ranji Trophy.