During the ongoing India tour of West Indies in 2023, the 29-year-old right-arm pacer, Mukesh Kumar, has etched his name in the history books by achieving a rare feat in Indian cricket.
Mukesh Kumar received his India call-up after delivering impressive performances in domestic cricket consistently. With an impressive record of 149 wickets in 39 First-class games at an average of 21.55, an economy of 2.70, and a strike rate of 47.7, including 8 four-wicket hauls and 6 five-wicket hauls, the Bengal pacer earned his spot in the Indian National Cricket Team.
Having had a dream tour to the West Indies, Mukesh Kumar made his debut in all three formats of the game for India. He marked his Test debut on July 20, showcasing accurate lines and lengths and claiming 2 wickets. Following this, he made his ODI debut on July 27, playing all three matches in the series and securing 4 wickets, with a best bowling figure of 3/30 in the series decider.
Impressing with his bowling performances, Mukesh Kumar earned a T20I debut on the same tour. He was selected in India’s playing XI over Umran Malik and Avesh Khan for the match at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad on August 03.
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Mukesh Kumar has now become only the second Indian cricketer after left-arm seamer T Natarajan to achieve the unique milestone of making his international debut in all three formats – T20I, ODI, and Test – on the same tour. T Natarajan accomplished this feat during the India tour of Australia in 2020/21.
Moreover, the first T20I against West Indies holds historical significance for India, as it marks their 200th match in the shortest format of the game. India played their inaugural T20I back in 2006 under the captaincy of Virender Sehwag. They have become the second team after arch-rivals Pakistan to achieve this milestone in T20I cricket.