Mukesh Kumar Biography: From Bihar’s Streets to India’s Fast Bowling Sensation
Mukesh Kumar is a talented Indian fast bowler who rose to fame after his impressive performance in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). Born on October 12, 1993, in Gopalganj, Bihar, Mukesh’s journey to international cricket is a story of determination, late success, and consistent hard work. He plays domestic cricket for Bengal and is a key pacer for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL.
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| Mukesh Kumar Indian
cricketer bowling for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023 – inspiring rise from Bihar to international cricket @Getty images |
Despite making his debut
in international cricket at the age of 30, which is considered late by Indian
standards, Mukesh Kumar’s story proves that dreams come true when talent meets
dedication.
Mukesh Kumar’s Early Life and Family Background
Mukesh Kumar was born in
Kakarkund, a small village in the Gopalganj district of Bihar. In 2012, he
moved to Kolkata on his father's advice to pursue better cricketing
opportunities. His father, Kashi Nath Singh, worked as a taxi driver.
Unfortunately, Mukesh lost his father in 2019 due to a brain haemorrhage.
Mukesh Kumar got married
in 2023 to Divya Singh, who hails from Chhapra. Their wedding ceremony took
place in Gorakhpur.
Domestic Career: Starting With Bengal Cricket
Mukesh made his first-class
debut for Bengal on October 30, 2015, in a match against Haryana at Rohtak.
Since then, he has played 34 first-class matches, taking 130 wickets.
He made his List A
debut on December 13, 2015, in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and has played 24
List A matches, claiming 26 wickets at an economy rate of 5.10.
Mukesh Kumar made his T20
debut on January 6, 2016, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. So far, he has
appeared in 23 domestic T20 matches and taken 25 wickets.
Ranji Trophy 2020-21: A Breakthrough Season
During the 2020-21 Ranji
Trophy season, Mukesh emerged as the leading wicket-taker for Bengal,
picking up 20 wickets and helping Bengal reach the finals. This season
turned out to be the turning point in his domestic career.
Mukesh Kumar's Rise to Fame in IPL 2023
Mukesh Kumar became a
household name during the IPL 2023 season, where he played for Delhi
Capitals (DC). He was signed by DC at the IPL 2023 auction and made regular
appearances for the team. His notable performances came against teams like Mumbai
Indians and Rajasthan Royals, where he recorded figures of 2/30
and 2/36, respectively.
In his debut IPL season,
Mukesh played 10 matches and took 7 wickets. His consistent
bowling and ability to perform under pressure earned him a place in India’s
national squad.
In 2024, Delhi Capitals
retained Mukesh Kumar for INR 5.50 crore, showing their faith in his
abilities. Over the years, Mukesh has earned around INR 11 crore from IPL,
making it his primary source of income.
International Debut: A Dream Come True in 2023
Mukesh Kumar made his international
debut across all three formats during India’s tour of the West Indies in July
2023, at the age of 30.
Mukesh Kumar's Test Debut
Mukesh Kumar made his Test
debut for India on July 20, 2023, at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of
Spain, Trinidad, during the second Test against the West Indies. He picked
up 2 wickets for 48 runs in the first innings and bowled tightly in the
second innings. His first Test wicket was Kirk McKenzie.
ODI Career Highlights
Mukesh made his ODI
debut on July 27, 2023, at Kensington Oval, Barbados, in the
first ODI of the series against the West Indies. He bowled economically and
dismissed Alick Athanaze for his first ODI wicket, ending the
game with 1/22 in 5 overs.
T20I Journey
Mukesh Kumar was first
called up to India’s T20I squad in December 2022 for the Sri
Lanka series. However, he made his T20I debut on August 3, 2023,
against the West Indies at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad.
International Stats (As of April 2024)
- Tests: 3 matches, 7 wickets
- ODIs: 6 matches, 5 wickets
- T20Is: 14 matches, 12 wickets
Mukesh Kumar's Career Timeline: Highlights by Year
| Year | Age | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 21 | First-class debut for Bengal. |
| 2020-21 | 26 | Key bowler in Bengal's Ranji Trophy run to the final. |
| 2022 | 28 | Played in the India A team against New Zealand A |
| 2022 | 28 | Maiden call-up to the Indian squad for the ODI series against South Africa |
| 2023 | 29 | Signed by Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2023 season. |
| 2023 | 29 | Made his ODI debut against West Indies |
| 2023 | 29 | Selected in the Indian T20I squad |
| 2023 | 29 | Test debut for India against West Indies. |
Mukesh Kumar’s Net Worth and BCCI Contract
Mukesh Kumar's net
worth as of 2024 is estimated at INR 16 crore (approx. $2 million).
A major part of his earnings comes from the IPL and his BCCI central
contract. In February 2024, Mukesh was placed in the C-grade
category of BCCI contracts, which means he earns INR 1 crore annually.
Mukesh Kumar’s Personal Life & Residence
Mukesh lives in a lavish
house in Kolkata with his family. However, there is no verified
information available about him owning luxury properties in other metro
cities.
Records and Stats
- Most wickets in a season for Bengal in 2020-21 Ranji Trophy –
20 wickets
- Claimed a maiden over wicket in his debut Test match in 2023
Leadership and Under-19 Career
As of 2024, Mukesh Kumar
has not captained the Indian national team or any IPL franchise. He also
did not feature in any major Under-19 tournaments, making his domestic
debut at the age of 21 for Bengal.
Final Thoughts: A Late Bloomer with a Big Impact
Mukesh Kumar's journey
from a small village in Bihar to donning the Indian jersey is truly inspiring.
His late entry into international cricket proves that age is just a number when
passion meets performance. With his ability to swing the ball and maintain
tight lines, Mukesh Kumar is one of India's most promising pacers today.
Keep an eye on him in the
upcoming seasons, as he continues to rise as a consistent performer for India
and the Delhi Capitals.
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