Prior to the second game against the West Indies on Thursday at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar received his Test cap. Shardul Thakur, who according to the BCCI was not available for selection owing to an injury, was replaced by Mukesh.
Reason of non selection
“Shardul Thakur was not available for selection for the 2nd Test due to a sore left groin,” BCCI said right after the toss.
“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,” Indian Skipper Rohit Sharma at the toss.
However, Shardul’s accident ended up being a blessing in disguise for Mukesh Kumar and India. The right-arm bowler has already broken into the Indian Test team, but he was unable to participate in any matches. Before India’s next test against South Africa five months from now, this may have been the last Test in which they could observe him.
Mukesh has taken 149 wickets at an outstanding average of 21.55 in the 39 first-class games he has played so far.
Mukesh was selected for the India A team after helping Bengal reach two Ranji Trophy finals in the previous three seasons. He once again dazzled everyone with five-wicket hauls against Bangladesh A and New Zealand A. For India A, he has 18 wickets at an average of 17.50.
Mukesh made his IPL debut with the Delhi Capitals in 2023. He was born in Gopalganj, Bihar. He took 7 wickets in the 10 games he appeared in for DC. In domestic cricket, he is renowned for being a workhorse and for his ability to bowl consistently in difficult circumstances over and over.
India will look to complete the series on a high with 2-0 whitewash over the West Indies side.
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