Indian fast bowler Mukesh Kumar had a sensational debut in the second Test against the West Indies in Trinidad. Kirk McKenzie, the Windies' starting opener, was one of his two wickets in the first innings. But the act of Virat Kohli, the former Indian captain, who ran up to hug and congratulate him, made his accomplishment all the more meaningful.
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McKenzie attempted to cut a good length delivery outside off stump, but he was able to edge it to Ishan Kishan behind the stumps. Kohli was the first to approach Mukesh and embraced him celebrating his accomplishment. The other Indian players joined in to praise the work of the newcomer.
“It was a surreal feeling when Virat bhai hugged me after my maiden Test wicket,” Mukesh said in an interaction with Mohammed Siraj on BCCI.TV. “The man I have watched all these years on TV and looked up to is hugging you. It felt great.”
Mukesh also admitted that he was in shock after learning he was replacing injured Shardul Thakur. He claimed he was always ready for a chance and was eager to start bowling. Siraj and Jaydev Unadkat, his senior pace partners, received his gratitude for their leadership and assistance.
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Mukesh has had an incredible path to the national team. He was raised as a tennis-ball cricketer for hire and was a native of the remote Gopalganj town in Bihar. In a test for the Vision 2020 project, he won over former Bengal seamer Ranadeb Bose after relocating to Kolkata in 2012.
In the 2019–20 Ranji Trophy season, he became Bengal's leading bowler after making his first-class debut in 2015, claiming 32 wickets in 10 games and assisting Bengal in reaching the championship game. He also participated in the IPL 2023 for the Delhi Capitals, earning a substantial bid of INR 5.5 crore.
