Mukesh Kumar, the promising pacer from Bengal and Delhi Capitals, has received his maiden national call-up for the upcoming West Indies tour, commencing on July 12.
After delivering a commendable performance in his debut season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023, Kumar has earned this prestigious opportunity.
In the IPL, he secured 7 wickets from 10 matches and played a pivotal role in Delhi’s triumph over SunRisers Hyderabad by defending 12 runs in the final over.
During an interview with the Times of India, Mukesh Kumar shared his growth trajectory in the IPL and disclosed a valuable conversation he had with the legendary MS Dhoni, which left a lasting impact on him.
“I always aspired to meet Dhoni bhaiya and seek his guidance on a few aspects. This dream was realized because of the IPL. When I met him, the first thing I asked was what he tells his bowlers as a captain and wicketkeeper,” Kumar revealed.
Dhoni advised him to embrace experimentation and emphasized its significance for personal growth as a cricketer.
MS Dhoni led CSK to its record-fifth IPL title this year
“He placed his hands on my shoulders and said, ‘I tell every bowler that unless you try, you won’t learn. You must do exactly what you want to do. If you don’t, you won’t learn. Forget about the outcome and just go ahead and try.’ He explained this concept to me very effectively,” Mukesh shared.
The young player expressed gratitude towards Delhi Capitals for providing him with ample opportunities in the IPL. He also acknowledged the guidance he received from the seasoned campaigner Ishant Sharma, who made a successful comeback to the IPL after missing the previous season.
“I am sincerely thankful to Delhi Capitals for giving me this opportunity. The IPL has been an incredible learning experience. Before the IPL, I sought advice from Ranadeb bhaiya (Ranadeb Bose) on how to handle pressure. Ishant bhaiya has been a great mentor.”
“He taught me various aspects of bowling, such as the ideal delivery angles and target areas on the pitch. He encouraged me to develop a diverse skill set in my bowling,” Mukesh expressed his gratitude.”
With Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah absent, Mukesh Kumar is now in contention to represent India in the Test matches against West Indies. This call-up serves as a recognition of his talent and potential in the international arena.
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