Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar’s impressive performances in domestic cricket have earned him a maiden Test call-up for India’s tour of the West Indies. He has also been selected for the One-Day Internationals (ODIs), with the series commencing on July 12 and the first Test scheduled to start in Dominica.
Mukesh Kumar, who had a memorable debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year for the Delhi Capitals, has had the opportunity to interact with renowned players during the tournament. One such interaction was with former India captain and Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni, who shared valuable advice with the young pacer.
During his stint with the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2023, Mukesh Kumar played alongside and against international and national cricket stars. He made a strong impact, picking up seven wickets from 10 matches, which showcased his potential as a fast bowler. During this time, he had the opportunity to meet and interact with MS Dhoni, a legendary figure in Indian cricket.
In an interview with the Times of India, Mukesh Kumar spoke about his conversation with MS Dhoni and the valuable advice he received from the seasoned campaigner. Kumar expressed his admiration for Dhoni and his eagerness to learn from him. When he asked Dhoni about his approach as a captain and wicketkeeper, the veteran cricketer gave him an insightful response.
Mukesh Kumar said, “I always wanted to meet Dhoni bhaiya and ask him a few things. This happened because of the IPL. I met him and asked him, ‘What exactly do you tell your bowlers as a captain and wicketkeeper?”
According to Kumar, Dhoni put his arm around his shoulders and shared his thoughts on bowling. Dhoni emphasized the importance of trying and learning from each experience. He told Kumar that a bowler must execute their plans and do exactly what they intend.
Dhoni advised him to forget about the outcome and focus on giving his best effort. The former captain’s guidance emphasized the significance of perseverance and self-belief, encouraging Kumar to strive for improvement continually.
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Mukesh Kumar further stated, “He put his hands around my shoulders and said, ‘I tell this to every bowler that till the time you won’t try, you won’t learn. It would be best if you did exactly what you want to do. If you won’t, you will not learn. He said to forget the outcome and just go and try. He explained this thing well to me.”
Mukesh Kumar expressed his gratitude towards the Delhi Capitals franchise for allowing him to showcase his talent in the IPL. He acknowledged the faith shown in him and the valuable experience gained by playing alongside some of the best players in the world. Kumar also specifically thanked his Delhi Capitals teammate, Ishant Sharma, for his support and guidance, which played a role in his development as a bowler.
