It is another breakthrough from Bengal cricket in terms of getting into the red-ball fraternity of Indian cricket. Mukesh Kumar, the medium pacer from Bengal, had already earned a maiden national call-up in October last year against South Africa. But that was One-Day International (ODI). 

On Monday, Mukesh earned another national call-up for the forthcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final as one of the three standby players. If Mukesh gets the opportunity to play WTC final then this will be his first game with the red ball.

The 29-year-old medium pacer who played a crucial role in helping Bengal to reach the final of the Ranji Trophy last year is presently participating in the ongoing IPL for Delhi Capitals. 

Mukesh sounded quite excited after getting the news on Monday. He revealed that it will be thrilling for him to bowl Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara in the practice session in England. The WTC final is scheduled to be held from 7th June to 11th June at Oval. He commented, "It will be a great opportunity to learn a lot of things about bowling from these two great batsmen while bowling them at the nets."

Mukesh often remembers his father late Kashinath Singh (died in 2019) whose persistent mental support allowed Mukesh to continue the hard work and establish himself as a professional cricketer finally. He said, "I asked my father I would concentrate on playing cricket for one year only. If I fail to prosper then I will leave the game and join any job. My father had to struggle a lot. Being a taxi driver he managed to run the family. Still, he gave me the freedom, asking me to continue with my passion. He became the happiest man when I started settling as a cricketer. His dream was to see me playing in IPL. Today, I am playing in the IPL and he is no more." 

Mukesh paid gratitude to Ranadeb Bose from whom he said, "I have learned the basics of bowling. When I was in the 'Vision 2020' project of CAB, he often advised me to concentrate on bowling at the off-stump, precisely through the corridor. I still try to follow his advice." Then he expressed thankfulness to Bengal's former captain and coach Arun Lal saying, "His encouragement and style of motivating is incredible. It seems even a half-dead man can be aroused and deliver his best." 

At the same time, Mukesh whose favorite international bowler is Brett Lee, mentioned Shib Shankar Paul's name commenting, "His advice was very fruitful at the Bengal nets during our domestic matches. Shib Shankar also had praise for Mukesh as he stated, "I have been watching him bowl for a long time. His main quality is that he can deliver long spells at the same pace and variety. After playing for India-A he is now more mature. I hope if he gets a chance in the WTC final he will not make us frustrated." 

Mukesh, who made his first-class debut in 2015, has 149 wickets in the red-ball format at an average of 21.55 with six five-wicket hauls. On his first-class debut, Mukesh dismissed the likes of Virender Sehwag and took a four-wicket haul.