A captivating cricketing narrative unfolded as India’s seasoned spinner, R Ashwin, endorsed fast bowler Mukesh Kumar to match the caliber of the esteemed Mohammad Shami following his formidable debut in the first T20 game against Australia. Ashwin shared his assertions on his YouTube channel, offering an insightful perspective on Kumar’s potential trajectory in the cricketing domain.
Ashwin elaborated on the attributes that he believes set Kumar on a similar path to Mohammad Shami, widely referred to as ‘Lala’. Drawing parallels to the much-revered Malayalam actor, Mohanlal, famously known as Lalettan, Ashwin has fondly bestowed upon Shami the moniker ‘junior Lalettan’. This illustrates the high regard in which Kumar is held and the expectations Ashwin has for his future in the sport.
Kumar’s impressive physique, mirroring Shami’s, is complemented by an exceptional wrist position, which confers him with an edge in harnessing a potent back-spin on the cricket ball. Further contributing to his burgeoning reputation are his commendable straight alignment and a delivery that suggests an innate talent for fast bowling. His commendable performances extend back to a series in the West Indies and a noteworthy practice game in Barbados, substantiating the high praise.
The story of Mukesh Kumar’s ascent to prominence is one underpinned by chance and serendipity. It began when he ventured to Kolkata in pursuit of employment and opportunely joined a talent hunt at Jadavpur University orchestrated by Sourav Ganguly, then at the helm of the Cricket Association of Bengal. The camp sought to uncover hidden talent and had the expertise of cricket luminaries such as Waqar Younis, VVS Laxman, and Muttiah Muralitharan.
In a twist of fate, while Kumar’s name was called upon to showcase his bowling to none other than Waqar Younis, he happened to be away. Upon returning and solemnly waiting for his chance, Younis, on the brink of departure, offered him an opportunity to bowl a pair of deliveries. These two balls not only changed the course of Kumar’s life but also etched his destiny with Indian cricket, as Younis identified something special in the youngster.
Kumar’s personal journey is equally stirring; he moved to Kolkata back in 2012 with the intent to bolster his father’s floundering taxi business. Despite his father’s initial reservations, Kumar’s passion for cricket saw him partake in local matches with modest financial remuneration. However, his father also played a pivotal role in encouraging Mukesh to pursue his cricketing dreams in Kolkata after an unsuccessful attempt to join the Indian Army.
This persistence bore fruit when, during his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kumar experienced the volatility of high-stakes cricket. After some costly overs, it was Mohammad Shami himself who offered sage advice, urging Kumar to embrace the pressure and prepare mentally for the vagaries of the game. This counsel empowered Kumar to rise above the fear of failure, further solidifying his resilience as a cricketer.
In light of these revelations from R Ashwin, the cricketing fraternity eagerly awaits the unfolding of Mukesh Kumar’s career. With predilections akin to those of Mohammad Shami, Kumar stands at the precipice of a flourishing journey in the cricketing world. His growth from obscurity to a potentially prominent figure in Indian cricket exemplifies the quintessential underdog story, showcasing that talent coupled with opportunity and guidance can forge champions.