Used to play local matches in Kolkata in return for a sum of INR 400-500 around a decade ago, it has been a dream year for India pacer Mukesh Kumar so far. Not only did Delhi Capitals decide to splurge as many as INR 5.5 crore during Indian Premier League 2023 mega auction to have him in their side, but the Bihar-born cricketer also managed to represent India across formats during the ongoing India’s tour of West Indies.
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Hailing from a village in the town of Gopalganj, Mukesh was one of the many youngsters who often migrate to bigger cities in search for livelihood or in hope for living the life of their dreams. The right-arm pacer, thus, landed in the capital city of West Bengal to look after his father’s struggling taxi business.
However, the undying passion for cricket and his love for fast bowling would mean that the plans for reviving the business would take a back seat. He would soon be seen playing the game instead, in return for some money.
Mukesh Kumar Used To Play Local Matches In Kolkata For INR 400-500
Mukesh’s love for fast bowling began in 2008-09, when a ‘Pratibha ki Khoj‘ cricket trial was being held in the Gopalganj district. His tremendous performance during the same resulted in him being selected to represent Bihar U-19 team in the Associate and Affiliate tournament under the BCCI.
That said, his ultimate dream was to make it into the Indian Army. His inspiration for the same, perhaps, were his cousins who were part of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Unfortunately, having failed to realize the dream, his father’s resentment for cricket as a career option, and Bihar having not yet been affiliated by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), Mukesh’s cricketing career seemed like reaching a dead-end as well.
The cricketer in him, however, was surely not going to give up. Having realized the same, his late father gave him a year’s time (after asking him to arrive in Kolkata in 2012) to make something out of his passion. Failing so, he would have to join him in the taxi business.
As a result, in return for some INR 400-500, Mukesh began playing local matches in a second division CAB league club – ‘Bani Niketan’. A couple of years later in October 2015, he went on to make his debut for Bengal against Haryana at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium.
“My father gave me a year and if nothing happens, I will work alongside him. But he was also the one, who knew that I wanted to play cricket and when I was not picked for the Indian Army, it was his suggestion that I must come to Kolkata with him and play cricket and help him out,” remarked Kumar during a recent interaction with the Indian Express.
Mukesh Kumar Turned Crorepati In Maiden IPL Auction
Mukesh Kumar rose to prominence during Ranji Trophy 2019/20 season on the back of claiming career-best bowling figures of 6/61 during the semi-final match against Karnataka to take Bengal through to the final for the first time in 13 years. On the back of a successful domestic season in October 2022, he earned his maiden call-up to the Indian ODI squad for a home series against South Africa.
Earlier, he was Bengal’s joint-highest wicket-taker (20 wickets across nine innings) during Ranji Trophy 2021/22 season, and also during New Zealand A’s tour of India in 2022 with 9 wickets across five innings. Moreover, even during the Irani Cup 2022/23, he emerged as the highest-wicket taker scalping 9 wickets across four innings at an average of 16.66.
Hence, he was one of the uncapped Indian fast bowlers to look for during IPL 2023 auction last year. Registered at a base price of INR 20 lakh, a bidding war between Delhi and Chennai Super Kings took Mukesh to the INR 2 crore mark when Punjab Kings decided to enter as the third interested party.
Finally, with the Capitals having made their mind to acquire the fast bowler’s services, he was roped in at INR 5.5 crore. The likes of Jaydev Unadkat (50 lakh), Ishant Sharma (50 lakh), Amit Mishra (50 lakh) etc. were sold at a way lesser price than Mukesh, who was yet to play an IPL match.
Having said that, he came up with a rather lackluster performance during the season, picking up mere 7 wickets across ten innings at an average of 46.57.
