Indian cricket has been the breeding ground for exceptional sporting talents, and one such individual who has recently garnered high praise from an established figure in the Indian cricket team is a promising fast bowler named Mukesh Kumar. Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s virtuoso spinner and strategic thinker on the field, has highlighted Kumar’s prospects by drawing a parallel between him and the seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami, affectionately referred to as “Junior Shami.”
In a candid conversation on his official YouTube channel, Ashwin reminisced about the time when he envisaged Mohammed Siraj to become the younger counterpart to Shami. However, this perspective was transformed after he observed Mukesh Kumar’s cricketing prowess. Ashwin is convinced that the 30-year-old Kumar possesses the essential cricketing attributes that parallel those of Shami, who has been termed ‘Lala’ in reverence to the actor Mohanlal – nicknamed ‘Lalettan’.
Kumar’s physical stature, coupled with his laudable wrist position, impressed Ashwin enough to label him the new ‘Junior Shami’. The spinner extols the younger bowler’s whipping wrist action and the notable backspin he imparts to the ball, which is quite akin to Shami’s bowling mechanics. Ashwin went on to elucidate, “Mukesh has a similar build, similar height, and outstanding wrist position – he has that great whip of the wrist and terrific backspin on the ball. He has a very nice straight and nice alignment.”
Ashwin’s appraisal didn’t end there. He also recollected an anecdote that highlighted the turning point in Mukesh Kumar’s life and career, courtesy of none other than the legendary fast bowler, Waqar Younis. This fateful event unfolded as Kumar got an unexpected chance to bowl in front of Younis after a slight miscommunication that initially appeared like a missed opportunity – it turned out to be a life-changing moment as Kumar delivered two deliveries that would set his destiny onto the international cricket stage.
Mukesh Kumar’s first foray into the international scene was on July 20, 2023, marking the launch of what might be a promising career for the nation’s cricket. Since then, he has featured in 10 matches for India, claiming nine wickets. His inclusion in India’s squad for the five-match T20I series against Australia is a testament to the team management’s faith in his abilities. While he couldn’t pocket any wickets in the opening encounter of the series, he effectively reined in runs by conceding a mere 29.
Despite having had a lukewarm start to the series against Australia, expectations are high for Mukesh Kumar to rise to the occasion and fill the void left by the legendary Shami as and when he hangs up his boots. With the World Cup 2023 on the horizon, Indian cricket fans are eager to receive updates and see their team’s composition evolve. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for the latest sports updates by following social media pages and downloading relevant cricket apps.
This story of Mukesh Kumar’s rise, duly noted by Ashwin, highlights the subtle ways the torch of expertise and acclaim is passed within the cricket fraternity. It stands as a reminder of how moments of chance, coupled with latent talent and recognition by esteemed peers, can carve out new legacies within the storied annals of cricket.