Mukesh Kumar gets emotional after getting selected in Indian squad for West Indies tour

Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar got emotional after getting selected in the Indian squad for the upcoming tour to West Indies. The 29-year-old has been included in Test and ODI squads against the Windies and is likely to make his debut for the Indian team. Talking about his selection, Mukesh remembered his late father and said that he would be happy to see his rise.

The right-arm pacer has struggled so hard to make it into the Indian team and his struggle stories have been told quite a few times over the last year or so and are quite inspirational. He came from his village in Bihar to Bengal in 2012 to help his father in the Taxi business. He lost his father due to a brain hemorrhage.

Kumar was interested in cricket but suffered from malnutrition and bone edema, where one has excessive fluid in his knees. After that, former Bengal pacer Ranadeb Bose took him under his wings which changed the thing for him. The pacer has appeared in 39 first-class matches where he scalped 149 wickets at an average of 21.55, with six five-wicket hauls.

‘I’ve finally arrived’ – Mukesh Kumar

“My dream is now in front of me. I always wanted to be here — to play Tests for India. And, I’ve finally arrived. I’m sure dad would be happy now seeing my rise. Mummy, papa’s support will always be there and to all my friends for believing in me… Vision 2020. Sourav Ganguly Sir, Joydeep (Mukherjee) Sir and my guru Ranadeb Bose sir who has always guided me in red-ball cricket. Without their help, I don’t think I would have survived,” Mukesh was quoted as saying by Sportskeeda.

“Kahan se start kiya tha, aur kahan pahuncha — from where I began and where I’m now, it feels completely surreal,” he further added.

Mukesh was also one of India’s standby players for the recently ended World Test Championship final against Australia. He recalled his experience with the Indian team and added that he learned a lot. He also mentioned how Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli guided him while he was bowling in the nets in England’s conditions.

“Bowling in the nets in England conditions, Rohit and Virat paaji, they always guided me, where to bowl. Paras (Mhambrey) Sir told me a few ways and I’m working,” Mukesh said.

Getting to play for the country does not come easily. They don’t just pick you out of nowhere and make you play. I will always try to maintain the same hard work. I will give 100 percent,” he concluded.