Debutant medium-pacer for India, Mukesh Kumar has taken his first Test wicket in the ongoing second Test against West Indies. He has been part of the team since the World Test Championship final 2023 which India lost. Kumar has been doing well in domestic cricket. In the 39 First Class games played by the right-arm pacer, he has taken 149 wickets averaging 21.55 including six five-wicket hauls.
Meanwhile, in the ongoing game, the Bengal player has to wait for his bowling as India was asked to bat first by the home side. After batting for one and a half days, the Asian side amassed 438 all-out, The likes of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja scored fifties while Virat Kohli ended his overseas century drought.
In reply, West Indies had a good start as the opening pair, Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kraig Braithwaite put together 71 runs on Day Two. The former got out trying to slash Jadeja. In the ongoing Day Three, Kumar took the wicket of counterpart debutant, Kirk McKenzie. Notably, right after the former took his first Test wicket, rain stopped play and the early Lunch was taken.
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A moment to remember for Mukesh Kumar!
Maiden Test wicket. A proud day for him and his family. pic.twitter.com/XcdnP8Ihhp
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 22, 2023
At the time of writing, the game has resumed and the home side has amassed 120/2 in 55 overs. They trail by 318 runs at this point.
Mukesh Kumar replaced Shardul Thakur
Notably, the Delhi Capitals player in the IPL replaced Shardul Thakur in the team. As confirmed by Sharma, Thakur sustained an injury ahead of the game.
“Unfortunately, Shadul has pulled up. He is not fit. Mukesh Kumar will make his debut. A very talented guy, who has worked really hard in domestic cricket. So hopefully, we can get behind him,” Rohit said after the toss, which West Indies won and opted to bowl first.
