The Indian cricket landscape often sees its players making personal sacrifices for the love of the game, but this time, the scene is set differently for Mukesh Kumar, India’s up-and-coming fast bowler. Kumar, who has been making strides in the domestic circuits, has taken a detour from the 22 yards to walk down the aisle, as he is set to marry his fiancee, Divya Singh. This joyous occasion has prompted him to seek leave from the high-stakes third T20I against Australia in Guwahati.
In a statement disseminated via the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) social media handle on the platform formerly known as Twitter, it was confirmed that Mukesh had requested to be released from the Indian squad ahead of the critical encounter. “Fast bowler Mukesh Kumar made a request to BCCI to be released from India’s squad ahead of the third T20I against Australia in Guwahati. Mukesh is getting married and has been granted leave for the duration of his wedding festivities. He will join the squad ahead of the 4th T20I in Raipur,” the BCCI announcement detailed.
Deepak Chahar, another right-arm pacer with international exposure, has been subsequently called up to fill the void left by Mukesh’s absence, as India looks to bolster their bowling attack in a bid to contain the formidable Australian batting lineup.
Mukesh’s absence is noteworthy as his performance in the series had been a mixture of consistency and learning curves. Having showcased his skill in the first T20I at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, Mukesh proved to be sparing with the runs, limiting Australia to a mere 29 runs in his allotted four overs amidst an onslaught of big hits faced by his teammates. His precision in delivering yorkers captured the attention of cricket analysts and fans alike, marking him as a future prospect for the Indian bowling arsenal.
However, not all matches met with the desired outcome for Mukesh. The second T20I presented a stark contrast to his maiden outing, as the Australian batters took an aggressive stance against him. The result: a costly 49 runs off his spell, which reflected a dose of the hard reality that international cricket can sometimes be for a bowler.
BCCI’s broadcast regarding lineup adjustments also highlighted the playing XI for both India and Australia for the third match. India’s selection committee put forth a mixture of young talent and seasoned hands, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ishan Kishan taking charge of the top order, while Suryakumar Yadav, donning the captain’s hat, aimed to wield his bat’s magic alongside the lineup’s middle order. The presence of all-rounder Axar Patel and young guns like Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Prasidh Krishna indicated a dynamic combination of spin and pace.
On the Australian side, a blend of experience and emerging talents was evident, with the likes of Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis expected to bring fireworks to the pitch alongside newer faces such as Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, and Tim David. Wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade steered the ship as captain, with a promising bowling ensemble comprising Nathan Ellis, Jason Behrendorff, Tanveer Sangha, and Kane Richardson.
As Mukesh Kumar exchanges his cricket gears for wedding attire, his temporary departure from the cricketing battlefield underscores the human aspect of athletes who juggle personal milestones and professional commitments. With the series poised for more thrilling moments, India braces for the Australian challenge as they look to seize a series victory in Guwahati, carrying the good wishes for their absent teammate’s matrimonial bliss.