‘The calla is in his hand’: How Mukesh Kumar became Delhi Capitals’ favorite bowler | Cricket News –

New Delhi: In Delhi Capitals’ (DC) opening match of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), a lot of eyebrows were raised when Mukesh Kumar was included in the playing XI. The reason was simple. Fans, pundits and journalists in the press box were expecting Aqib Nabi, who had a sensational domestic season and was bought by DC for Rs 8.40 crore, to make his IPL debut.But many have forgotten that Mukesh has been part of the DC outfit for a longer time and has proven his worth ever since joining the franchise in IPL 2023 for a price tag of Rs 5.50 crore. He was also a domestic bulwark and earned a call-up to India, later playing in all three formats for India during their 2023 tour of the Caribbean.

Thirty-six balls in two matches is not a large sample size, but in six overs, he bowled 20 dot balls. Against Lucknow, Rishabh troubled Pant with probing lengths, bowling 11 dot balls in 18 deliveries.“This is not just one or two matches. This is a 14-match tournament. If the team does not support you, it becomes difficult,” he told reporters after Delhi’s six-wicket win over Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Against Mumbai in the afternoon match, he started at full length, looking for movement but was hit on the boundary by Ryan Rickleton. Two balls later, he again went to deliver the wicket and was sent to another boundary.

The crafty fielder then pulled his length back, leaving Rickelton struggling against the Test match line, and was rewarded with his own wicket. Tilak then tricked Varma with a change of pace and completed a sharp catch and throw. His efforts won praise from Jasprit Bumrah, who called him ‘Mukesh McGrath’ in a lighthearted post-match chat.The last twelve months have been difficult for the 32-year-old. He suffered successive injuries, first a hamstring problem and then a calf strain, which forced him to miss a large portion of the domestic season.

Before the start of the season, Mukesh had a long chat with DC bowling coach Munaf Patel, who reminded him of his art.“He’s always talking about my skills. He’s always telling me that That’s what happened to me jo kala hai wo kisi aur ke pass nahi hai (Your art is so unique). He keeps saying I am the best bowler,” Mukesh said during a pre-season interaction.

The workhorse from Bihar’s Gopalganj district knows how to prove doubters wrong.

He played cricket in Bihar against the wishes of his father, the late Kashinath Singh. He then moved to Kolkata in 2012 to support his father’s struggling taxi business. But frustrated with the transport business, he started playing second-class matches in the field for Rs 400 to Rs 500.Mukesh was a favorite of former Bengal coach Arun Lal because of his ability to execute long overs. Lal calls him a captain’s dream and a nightmare for fighters as he does not give them an inch.The secret to Kumar’s ability to perform over long periods lies in his hunger to learn and improve. These attributes caught the attention of VVS Laxman, Waqar Younis and Muttiah Muralitharan during the Vision 2020 program organized by the Cricket Association of Bengal in 2014.

After the Mumbai match, he admitted that he had kept a close eye on Josh Hazlewood, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s trump card last season, particularly his ability to hit long distances without worrying about being hit while running.“Last year, I noticed how Hazlewood bowled. He was consistently hitting lengths in Test matches. Our coach advised me to focus on my strengths and target that area. It’s difficult to score, especially if the ball is moving. If someone hits you on a good day, that’s fine, but overall it’s a safe and effective option.”Mukesh last played for the Indian national team in 2024, but he has his sights set on returning.

“I spoke to the selectors,” Mukesh said of his performance as the highest wicket-taker during India A’s tour of Australia towards the end of 2024, just before the Border-Gavaskar Test series.“The team was already selected by then, but it was good to be around the group. I spoke to the selectors and they said if I perform in domestic cricket and in the Indian Premier League, I will come back.”The feisty player has had an inspiring journey, which even MS Dhoni admitted when he met the former India captain during his maiden season in the Indian Premier League.

Now, as Delhi Capitals look to build momentum, Mukesh Kumar is no longer just filling a spot at number 11. He dictates terms with quiet authority. In a formula dominated by great successes and poison As an elder, his story serves as a reminder that control still matters. One ball after the other, Mukesh is not just rebuilding his career, he is reshaping the games.