Mukesh Kumar emerged as one of the top picks in the IPL 2023 mini-auction and joined Delhi Capitals for a huge sum of Rs 5.5 crore. The right-arm pacer was a net bowler with DC last season and impressed the team management. His success in domestic cricket saw him earn his maiden India call-up for the home ODI series against South Africa.
Even though Mukesh remained uncapped in the ODI series, his impressive run in domestic cricket saw him draw the attention of IPL franchises. Apart from DC, Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings were also interested in buying him but missed out.
It hasn’t been an easy road for Mukesh. He impressed one and all during his early days and got to stay at Eden Gardens. During his preparations for the Vision 2020 trials, Mukesh impressed none other than Waqar Younis. But he almost missed out on bowling in front of him due to a washroom break.
Speaking to Sportskeeda, Mukesh revealed how a washroom break almost cost him the opportunity to bowl in the trials.
“But when I came back, I saw that there was a cross besides my name. I saw all the boys who were with me were bowling. I informed Ranadeb Bose sir that I too had come to bowl. He asked me where I was. So when I told him I was in the washroom, he said “Then go, stay in the washroom only. After a few seconds of thinking, he spoke to Joydeep Mukherjee sir and gave me the ball. As I got to my run-up, Waqar Younis sir, Ranadeb sir and Joydeep sir were standing behind me. I was bowling after about a month and the leather ball is obviously heavier than tennis ball,” Mukesh told Sportskeeda.
“But the first delivery that I bowled was on pace and was an inswinging Yorker with the old ball. The batter ended up falling on the ground and looking at that, Waqar sir gave a nod of affirmation. So they changed the red mark beside my name into a tick and that’s where my journey began.”
Mukesh plays for Bengal in domestic cricket. He has 123 wickets in 33 first-class matches and has dismissed 26 batters in 24 List A matches. He has 26 wickets in 23 T20s.
