Since the end of the Zimbabwe T20Is in July, Mukesh Kumar hasn’t played for India. In fact, he is still waiting for a chance to don the India jersey under the coaching of Gautam Gambhir, whose first assignment was the white-ball games against Sri Lanka in late July and August.
Performance-wise, one shouldn’t be complaining as the Bengal pacer has quietly gone about his job. In five games after the Zimbabwe tour — three Duleep Trophy matches, the Irani Cup for Rest of India and the Ranji Trophy clash against Uttar Pradesh — Mukesh has picked up 26 wickets, proving to be a regular wicket-taker for the teams he has represented.
Mukesh is not worried though, because he knows he is not too far away from getting a Team India call-up. Also, he just believes in putting his head down and doing his job steadily.
“I don’t think there’s much reason for me to worry because I feel I’m still in line. It’s not that I’m no longer in the fray. I’m doing my job and sticking to my process, which is to take wickets for the teams I represent. I’ve taken 26 wickets in the last five matches I played and that also includes strikes during key periods. I’m doing the stuff that’s expected of me,” the 31-year-old, who has so far played three Tests, six ODIs and 17 T20Is, told The Telegraph before he leaves for the National Cricket Academy (NCA in Bengaluru) on Wednesday.
Mukesh, along with opener Abhimanyu Easwaran and keeper-batter Abishek Porel, are the three cricketers from Bengal selected for the ‘A’ tour of Australia, which begins on October 31 with the first of the two four-day games against the hosts. Mukesh understands the significance of these ‘A’ team games in Australia. If he’s consistent, he could well be asked to stay back for the five-Test series against Pat Cummins and Co.
“Needless to say, this Australia tour is massive for me. If I can deliver in these four-day matches, I feel something positive can surely emerge thereafter,” Mukesh stated.
“Also, I’ve heard from others that in places like Australia and England, bowlers get clapped even on bowling maiden overs, not just when they are taking wickets. So, I find that quite motivating. And yeah, I’m pretty much looking forward to these games.”
The bouncer could be Mukesh’s stock ball Down Under. “We all know that the Kookaburra ball (which is used in Australia) isn’t as effective after the first 10-15 overs, but the Australian pitches are fast and bouncy, which means some help will be there for the quicks.
“So alongside bowling the right lines, if I can get the bouncer right and well-directed, I feel I’ll do well,” Mukesh said.
“I’ve also worked with Troy Cooley (fast bowling coach at NCA) on this aspect during my previous visits at the NCA this year. So, in the matches I played after that, I tried to use the bouncer to surprise the batters... Just hope to keep doing it.”
