Pacer Mukesh Kumar made his International debut for Team India in the second Test against West Indies on Thursday, July 20 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad. He was handed over the Test cap before the start of play on the first day, becoming the 308th player to represent India in the red-ball format.
Mukesh Kumar has a great first-class record for Bengal. In 39 matches, he has taken 149 wickets at an average of 21.55. He has six five-wicket hauls to his name in first-class cricket. He has also picked 26 List-A wickets. The pacer was the only change for India’s XI which won the series opener in Dominica. He replaced Shardul Thakur in the team.
Congratulations to Mukesh Kumar, who is all set to make his Test debut for #TeamIndia 🇮🇳🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/oSPbbVu2Rh
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 20, 2023
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed that Shardul Thakur was unavailable for selection. Shardul Thakur took one wicket in the first innings of the first Test. He did not get a chance in the second innings. The BCCI wrote, “Shardul Thakur was not available for selection for the 2nd Test due to a sore left groin.”
West Indies elects to bowl first in the second Test
West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite won the toss and elected to bowl first in the second Test against India. They brought in Shannon Gabriel in the side, while Kirk McKenzie is making his debut for West Indies. This is the 100th Test match between Team India and West Indies. The hosts will be keen to make a comeback, as they are 1-0 down in the two-match Test series.
India XI: R Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, S Gill, V Kohli, A Rahane, R Jadeja, I Kishan (wk), R Ashwin, M Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, M Siraj
West Indies XI: K Brathwaite (c), J Blackwood, K Mckenzie, T Chanderpaul, J Holder, K Roach, K Mckenzie, J Da Silva (wk), A Athanaze, S Gabriel, A Joseph, J Warrican
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