India’s rookie fast bowler Mukesh Kumar has revealed how veterans like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli supported him in his debut Test match innings for India. Kumar became the 308th Test player for India when he was given his debut cap in the second Test match against the West Indies at Queen’s Park, Trinidad.
The right-arm pacer got his maiden Test wicket when he accounted for debutant Kirk McKenzie. The fast bowler from Bihar, who plays for Bengal in the domestic circuit, revealed the surreal feeling when Virat Kohli hugged him and congratulated him on his first International wicket.
Furthermore, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma motivated Kumar and told him that he will need to work hard for his wickets on a pitch like Queen’s Park, which has been on the flat side.
Kumar returned with impressive figures of 2-48 in the 18 overs he bowled in his maiden Test innings and impressed with his line as well as the length.
“When I got the wicket, Virat bhaiya ran up and hugged me. I was in a different world. The man I have watched all these years on TV and looked up to is hugging you. It felt great,” Mukesh told his pace bowling partner Mohammed Siraj in an interaction for BCCI.TV.
“When you (Siraj) and JD (Unadkat) bhai were bowling, Rohit bhai said ‘it’s not a pitch where you can get wickets instantly. You need to work hard’. I had to set up the batter with consistent bowling,” said Mukesh.
The 29-year-old added he was surprised when he came to know about his selection but at the same time, he was well prepared.
“When I came to know that I will be playing, I was shocked and actually completely zoned out. Whether I play or not, I am always prepared, so I went to attend the team meeting, keeping in mind that I need to follow my process. But there was some gut feel that I might play.”
Mukesh will look to play a key role in the second innings as India need another eight wickets on the final day to win the second Test match.
