IND vs WI: Mukesh Kumar Set for India Test Debut Against West Indies – Know More About Him Here
Mukesh Kumar handed his Test debut cap for the second Test, replaced Shardul Thakur.
India continues to bolster their squad with fresh faces as they hand Mukesh Kumar his Test debut cap for the second Test against West Indies. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan made their Test debut for India in the series opener at Dominica.
Who is Mukesh Kumar? India’s Latest Debutant in the Second Test against West Indies
If you’ve been an avid follower of domestic cricket and the 2023 Indian Premier League, Mukesh Kumar’s name wouldn’t be unfamiliar to you. However, for those new to this name, let’s delve into the career history of Mukesh Kumar and introduce you to this talented player:
Mukesh Kumar comes from Bengal and has been a strong presence in domestic cricket. Although he was part of India’s squads before, he is now about to make his debut for the national team. He received his first national call-up in October last year during the home ODIs against South Africa but unfortunately didn’t get a chance to play in any of the matches.
Mukesh’s journey began with his first-class debut in 2015, and since then, he has excelled as a bowler, claiming 149 red-ball wickets with an exceptional average of 21.55, including six five-wicket hauls. On his debut day, Mukesh left a lasting impression by dismissing the renowned batter Virender Sehwag and snaring four wickets.
The 2019/20 Ranji Trophy season served as his breakthrough moment, as Mukesh picked up 32 wickets in 10 matches. His exceptional bowling skills were on full display during the semi-finals, where he claimed a phenomenal six-wicket haul against Karnataka, a key factor in Bengal’s advancement to the final.
In September 2022, the 29-year-old received a call-up to the India A team for the unofficial Tests against New Zealand A, where he finished the series as the joint-highest wicket-taker, claiming nine scalps in total, which included a fantastic five-wicket haul in the first match.
In December of the same year, he bowled six wickets for India A against Bangladesh in Sylhet. His exceptional performance caught the attention of IPL franchises, and during the 2023 auctions, he secured a lucrative INR 5.5 crore deal, with Delhi Capitals securing his services.
During the 2023 IPL season, he featured in 10 matches for Delhi Capitals, securing seven wickets at an average of 46.57 and an economy rate of 10.52. While his economic rate might have been on the higher side, he proved to be a valuable asset for Delhi Capitals by delivering crucial performances in death overs and successfully defending runs on several occasions.
