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Since the Bengal seamer Mukesh Kumar has been included in both the Test and One-Day International squads for India's upcoming tour of the West Indies, his cricketing career has become a classic example of a Bollywood coming-of-age story. Mukesh admits he didn't know anything about pace when he left his village home to pursue his passion for cricket; all he had ever known was how to bowl a decent length delivery.
The Bengal Ranji player explained his relocation to Kolkata in an in-depth interview with Indian Express, saying that it was only to assist his father, who was experiencing financial difficulties due to the decline of his cab business. But his passion for sports led him to abandon his other endeavours. “If nothing happens next year, I will work with my father. And he was the one who suggested I come to Kolkata with him to play cricket and help him out when I wasn't picked for the Indian Army," adds Mukesh Kumar.
Do you know about Mukesh Kumar’s news? The young bowler was discovered in 2014 by Ranadeb Bose, a former Bengal pacer and bowling coach, during a trial for the CAB's "Vision 2020 programme." The trials were directed by Muttiah Muralitharan, Waqar Younis, and VVS Laxman. After being immediately selected for the Bengal team, his steady play earned him a spot on the India A team to face New Zealand.
His five-wicket haul in the New Zealand series inspired the team's leadership to give him his first national call-up for the ODI series against South Africa. In red-ball cricket, Mukesh Kumar has taken 149 wickets at an average of 21.55, including six five-wicket hauls. He was a standby for the World Test Championship in England and has since been promoted to the Test squad for the trip to the West Indies.
“The two weeks I spent in England were some of the most formative of my life. It was something brand new for me. When I got picked for India A, I bowled with the Kookaburra, and I had just heard of the Duke ball before very recently. The Indian batters were easy to pull out of the nets when I initially started bowling," Kumar said.
Mukesh Kumar continued, "The weather was perfect for a fast game of bowling. Coach Paras Mhabmrey and Shami were both great resources for me. Regarding bowling length in England, Shami Bhai was extremely picky. Duke ball is doing its part from the outside, but you will only fully appreciate it if you try bowling. I was behaving immaturely. I had no idea how hard I hit that ball.”
Former Bengal coach Arun Lal has said that Mukesh Kumar is a unique find due to his ability to bowl extended stretches, a skill he honed by working out in the open and the nets. “What struck me most about his consistency throughout the day is bowling lengthy stints in that probing outside off-stump line. He resembles Pakistan's Mohammed Abbas in every way. Even though he doesn't go 140kph, he also won't budge,” Lal said.
In the words of Mukesh Kumar, a decent workout does not include spending several hours in the gym. While necessary for today's players, fitness should be a secondary focus. “The more I bowl, the better I'll get, and I enjoy practising my bowling in the nets. Each day brings new insight,” said Mukesh Kumar. The cricketer is a classic example of how talent can come from any remote village or region in India - all we need to do is offer the opportunity at the right time.
FAQs
When did Mukesh Kumar start playing cricket?
Mukesh Kumar’s debut in List A came in the 2015–16 Vijay Hazare Trophy on December 13, 2015. On January 6, 2016, in the 2015–16 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he made his Twenty20 debut.
What type of bowler is Mukesh Kumar?
After many years of searching, India finally has one good all-format bowler in Mukesh Kumar. The right-arm seamer made his international debut this season with Delhi Capitals of the Indian Premier League after stellar performances at the local and tournament levels.
What is Mukesh Kumar’s age?
Born on 12th October, 1993, currently, Mukesh Kumar’s age is 29 years.
