Harshad Khadiwale is arguably the best batsman in the State currently with an experience of a good five-six years of first class cricket. Having already led Maharashtra Ranji team for a full season in Elite Ranji Trophy, Khadiwale led Raigad Royals from the front to their first MPL title in 2009. Khadiwale was in incredible form, scoring 380 (Average of 47.50) and strike rate of 168, which made him a run-away winner of the Man-of-the-Series award. And that includes a cracking 96 not out (47 balls) against Panhala Panthers, which has been the inning of the MPL so far. Add to that the 11 wickets he picked up from nine games, and one realizes why this former India U-19 player is of such high value to Royals, as well as State team. No wonder IPL giants Kolkata Knight Riders signed him straight after the MPL-I. MPL-II was not exactly that good for Khadiwale, as he scored 142 runs in nine games and took seven wickets.