As the five-match T20I series between India and Australia is set to commence this Thursday, Mukesh Kumar, the right-arm seamer from India, has his gaze firmly fixed on carving out a substantial tenure with the national team. Making his international debut earlier in the year during the tour of the West Indies, Mukesh is keen to extend his journey that begins with the face-off against the Australians—a crucial precursor to the T20 World Cup slated for about seven months from now.
At the age of 30, Mukesh is not a wide-eyed youngster, but his determination is fresh. Having proven his mettle in domestic cricket and the glittering stage of the Indian Premier League, where he represents the Delhi Capitals, the Bengal bowler’s ascent to the Indian squad is a vindication of his hard work. “I want to regularly play for my country, that will be my first achievement. I want to continue focusing on the processes. I am seeing the results of sticking to them, so, I want to keep focusing and moving forward,” he shared with palpable sincerity in an interview with Jio Cinema.
The Indian Premier League, known for its high-octane cricket and a gallery of international stars, has played a pivotal role in Mukesh’s journey. “IPL produces the toughest matches. All teams are filled with international players and that too, they are amongst the best. To play on this stage is really very tough and a very good experience for me,” he stated, acknowledging the robust preparation it provided him for the international arena.
A significant influence and support system for Mukesh came from his Delhi Capitals teammate, senior India pacer Ishant Sharma. “As far as the role of Ishant bhaiya (Sharma) is concerned, he supported me a lot. He explained my role in the team very clearly, so I just wanted to be honest with what I was expected to do,” Mukesh recounted, expressing gratitude for the guidance.
Making the leap from watching the game on television to donning the national colors was surreal for Mukesh. His humble beginnings in Test cricket developed into opportunities in ODI and T20Is soon after. “When I first saw my India teammates, my mind stopped functioning briefly. I thought these were the players I watched on TV till yesterday and today I was getting a chance to warm up and share the dressing room with them,” he reminisced, before revealing that cricket legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had approached him with words of encouragement and valuable advice during practice sessions.
Mukesh’s narrative holds the familiarity of an arduous grind to the top. He recalls days spent away from his family in Kolkata, traveling and playing tennis ball cricket for nominal earnings. A period of introspection led to his father urging him to reconnect with the family and explore cricket opportunities within Kolkata. Following trials, he was selected to play in the First Division despite financial constraints that forced him to prioritize bowling over batting. Mukesh’s journey is underlined by sacrifice, passion, and an enduring hope for a future brightened by cricket.
With the T20 World Cup in the horizon, the upcoming series against Australia holds significance not just for team strategies but for individual aspirations like those of Mukesh Kumar. His eyes are set on longevity in the game, and the coming months might just unfold as the canvas where his dreams blend into the colors of Indian cricket’s rich tapestry.
Topics associated with this article include the India Cricket Team, Australia Cricket Team, and the indomitable spirit of Mukesh Kumar. For the latest updates on the World Cup 2023 and schedules, cricket enthusiasts can follow on Facebook, Twitter, or download the NDTV Cricket app for Android or iOS.