Mukesh Kumar: Son Of A Taxi Driver Gets Picked By IPL Team Delhi Capitals For Rs 5.5 Crore

IPL 2023: The Bengal pacer wants to fulfill not only his father's dream of playing in the IPL, but also to perform well, learn, and advance.

India A bowler Mukesh Kumar bowls during the fourth and final day of first test match between India A vs New Zealand A at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Source : File Photo/PTI

New Delhi: Bihar-born uncapped Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar has been a consistent performer for Bengal. In the IPL 2023 Auction, Delhi Capitals paid Rs 5.5 million for his services, fulfilling his father's dream of playing in the IPL. Mukesh's base price of Rs 20 lakh sparked a bidding war between Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings. Punjab Kings joined the fray as soon as bids exceeded Rs 2 crore. DC kept their bid going and paid Rs 5.5 crore for his services. 

Delhi Capitals have him for INR 5.5 Crores 👏👏#TATAIPLAuction | @TataCompanies

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 23, 2022

In contrast, Mukesh has had a successful recent period, producing sensational performances in the Irani Trophy for India A and the Rest of India. His efforts earned him his first appearance in a three-match series against South Africa for the Indian One-Day International team. Mukesh was inspired to become a professional cricketer by his late father. The Bengal pacer wants to fulfill not only his father's dream of playing in the IPL, but also to perform well, learn, and advance.

Mukesh Kumar's Journey

Gopalganj in Bihar is known for sending its men to the CRPF and Indian Army.

“I had appeared for CRPF exams thrice but probably cricket was my calling and I could never bring myself to believe that I needed the job.” By 2012, he had completed his B. Com and his father, who was a cab driver, called him to Kolkata.

Mukesh initially joined the Kalighat club, where Ashok Dinda was a member of a set team.

He was pretty quick compared to quicks in the second division, and slip fielders often miss the edges of his outswinger because it was hard for them to get their hands out of the pocket on cold mornings.

However, once he overcame obstacles, his situation began to improve. After his medical tests, it was found that he was underweight because he didn't eat right. This made it hard for his dad, who had already married three of his four daughters by that time.

“I was youngest of the six but we had severe financial problems. It was Rano sir, who spoke to then CAB secretary Sourav Ganguly, who arranged for my stay at Eden Gardens and my diet was taken care of,” he recalled those hard days as he spoke from his apartment in Dum Dum, where he has recently moved in after five good first class seasons.

“I had come through the ranks having played Buchi Babu and then waited for my turn. The endeavor would be to keep working hard,” the 28-year-old, who has 100 first class wickets from 27 games, said.

"With Mukesh, we know that the bulk of his wickets will be from the top five and not tail-enders. He has tremendous control with both new and old ball," said Bengal's assistant coach Sourasish Lahiri, reported news agency PTI.

Also, the fact that he has faced hardships made him a tough cookie.

"When Bengal was having a dream season in 2019-20 where we played finals, I was struggling with my father's failing health. I would train in the morning and tend to him at the hospital during the evenings. But he passed away due to brain hemorrhage," he said.

Mukesh has experienced a remarkable rise who only began playing serious cricket after graduation.

(With PTI Inputs)