Mukesh Kumar is a right medium pace bowler who was bought for Rs 5.5 Crore by Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023 Auction. The 29-year-old bowler was phenomenal in India A clashes against Bangladesh A before the official series. He is one of those bowlers who have constantly been knocking on the doors of Indian team selections with his impactful performances in domestic cricket for India. Here, we have covered everything you need to know about Mukesh Kumar.
Mukesh Kumar Early Life and Struggles
Mukesh Kumar was born in Gopalganj, Bihar, on 12th October 1993. He always loved playing cricket but wanted to make a living by getting a govt job to improve his household condition. Mukesh prepared for entrance exams for three years to get into the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Bihar police. He finally passed the written exams in 2012 but was rejected on the issue of fitness. It was around this time that he decided seriously to make a switch to cricket full-time.
Mukesh has experienced extreme poverty throughout his life, so when he finally got that bid of Rs 5.5 Crore in IPL 2023 Auction by Delhi Capitals, many of his hopes and dreams turned into reality. Mukesh Kumar lost his father two years ago, and his father’s older brother, who supported him financially when he moved to Kolkata, passed away in November 2022.
In an interview given to ESPN CricInfo, Mukesh Kumar said, “The joy I saw in my father’s eyes when I gave him my daily allowance money after my Ranji debut, I can never forget. I wish I could’ve given him something more then. But now, even if I want to, I can’t. That’s why I’m a little emotional. Money can’t buy you everything.”
Mukesh Kumar Journey to the IPL 2023
Mukesh Kumar made his living as a recreational tennis-ball cricket player for hire, featuring in tournaments that offered prize money that gave him enough money for his basic needs. But when he had a bike accident during one such tournament in Bihar, his father decided to ask him to move to Kolkata. Mukesh’s father used to run a taxi service in Kolkata. Mukesh moved to Kolkata in 2003.
Mukesh first tried his luck at Kalighat Club in Kolkata, but he was turned back there. This made him go to the Bani Niketan Sports Club, where he met Birendra Singh, who he trained under and who went on to be a mentor to him. Mukesh Kumar picked up six wickets in a division two match on his debut. However, Mukesh’s father’s health started deteriorating at this time.
The father of Mukesh then insisted he get a stable job as he believed cricket would not be able to make his life stable in the long run. Mukesh then started trying for a govt job but also continued playing cricket on the side. In 2014, Mukesh Kumar saw a chance when the then-secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal announced his Vision 2020 programme to select talented cricketers to help make Bengal a force in domestic cricket. Birender Singh, the Bani Niketan Sports Club coach, insisted Mukesh Kumar try out for that programme.
Mukesh Kumar became one of the short-listed players in that programme and ultimately made his debut in First Class cricket for Bengal against Haryana at Rohtak on 30th October 2015. Following that, he made his List A debut on 13th December 2015 against UP at Rajkot. Lastly, Mukesh Kumar made his T20 debut for Bengal in domestic cricket at Nagpur on 6th January 2016 at Nagpur against Gujarat. In his recent first-class match for India A, he managed to pick up 6 wickets against Bangladesh A.
Mukesh Kumar has picked 123 wickets in 33 matches in First Class cricket so far. In domestic T20s, he has managed to grab 25 wickets in 23 matches and in List A cricket, he has picked 26 wickets in 24 matches.
