Rest of India (ROI) pacer Mukesh Kumar ended his agonizing wait for a five-wicket haul in the Irani Cup as he wrapped up Mumbai’s 1st innings on Day 3. After delivering a triple strike early on Day 1, the bowler managed to get only one wicket on Day 2, as he got rid of Shams Mulani with a beauty of a delivery. With this fifer, Mukesh has put himself in contention for a spot in the Indian Test side, although the prospects of him making it look a little bleak at the moment.
Mukesh Kumar grabs fifer in Irani Cup
The Mumbai top-order suffered the wrath of Mukesh Kumar early on Day 1. Prithvi Shaw, Ayush Mhatre and Hardik Tamore were the first three victims of the pacer as he rattled the top-order. It took quite some time for Kumar to get his 4th wicket as he got rid of the experienced Shams Mulani on Day 2 with the new ball. His final victim was tailender Juned Khan early on Day 3 as he wrapped up Mumbai’s innings for 537 runs. Mukesh finished the innings with a spell of 5/110.
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Can Mukesh Kumar find his way back to Team India?
Mukesh Kumar, who made his Test debut earlier in the year in IND vs ENG Tests, will hope to make his way back into the Indian side with the help of his domestic performances. At present, he faces a stiff challenge in the form of Akash Deep, who has been sensational with the ball as witnessed in the recently concluded IND vs BAN series. Apart from Akash, Mukesh also has competition in the form of Yash Dayal who was also picked in the squad for the Bangladesh Tests but had warmed the bench as Akash Deep was picked ahead of him.
With seven wickets from three Tests and 181 first-class wickets to his name, Mukesh Kumar possesses the talent that India are looking for. He could be a valuable addition to the bowling line-up that already comprises of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. With India gearing up for a hectic Test season which includes the series against New Zealand and Australia, Mukesh Kumar will be hoping to make the most of the opportunities in the domestic circuit to find his way back into the Indian team.
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