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Mukesh Kumar has battled the odds to become a cricketer. Slogging away at the domestic level for Bengal, the 29-year-old has finally found some good luck and was called up to the Indian national team for the first time in 2022, during the ODI series against South Africa, after performing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
“Bhaiyya udhar bhi trials chal raha mera kaafi saalon se, darwaja tootega jaroor (I have been giving IPL trials for years now; hopefully, I will able to break that door),” he had told the Indian Express after his maiden India call up.
Mukesh did not get an opportunity with the main team but it was still a breakthrough and paved the way for call-ups to the India A squads for matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Against Bangladesh, 6/40 to put India A in command in a match they won by an innings and 123 runs.
And now, he is a crorepati, having bagged a contract worth Rs 5.5 Crore with Delhi Capitals, during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 mini-auction in Kochi on Friday, December 23.
“It is all about the trials in my life. First one in Gopalganj, where I became the district’s best bowler and then in Kolkata, which changed my life,” Mukesh Kumar had said.
“There has been a struggle in my life, but it is common. Har kisi ke saath hota hai (Everyone goes through that phase). My aim was to play cricket at the highest level and I am living my dream. Agar zindagi mey mushkiley na aati toh shayad mai yahaan nahi pahunch paata (If I had not gone through those hard times in my life, I would have never reached here),” he added.
But things were not so easy for the Bengal-born pacer. He gave Central Reserve Police Force exam three times after his graduation but his heart was set on the sport of cricket. After not receiving much support from his father, Mukesh goes on to credit many stalwarts of the game from Bengal.
“I was very lucky. At every step, I got help. My father gave me one year to make a career out of cricket. And thereafter, I was fortunate enough to learn from Rano Sir (Ranadeb), Manoj bhaiya (Tiwary), Arun Lal sir. If not for these people, I would have never made it this far,” he said.
Mukesh has proven to be the epitome of patience, as has been demonstrated by his performances and perseverance. And now, with this new contract, he can finally prove his worth at the highest level.
