Mukesh Kumar, the man from Bihar’s Gopalganj, made his Test debut for India in the ongoing India vs West Indies 2nd Test, just few months ahead of his 30th birthday. Starting his cricketing journey from Bengal U-23, the senior pacer worked his way up the ranks in the last seven years to earn a maiden call-up in the national team, finally making an impressive debut on a ‘dead pitch’ on offer in Trinidad, finishing with figures of 18-6-48-2. After Mukesh bagged his first Test wicket, he received a hug from Virat Kohli. The debutant revealed how Virat made his Test debut unforgettable with his unexpected gesture.

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“When I got the wicket, Virat bhaiya ran up and hugged me. I was in a different world. The man I have watched all these years on TV and looked up to is hugging you. It felt great,” a beaming Mukesh told Mohammed Siraj in an interaction for BCCI.TV.

A Debut story filled with excitement and goosebumps 🤗

Presenting 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙙 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨 with fifer star Mohd. Siraj & #TeamIndia Debutant Mukesh Kumar 👌👌 – By @ameyatilak

𝗗𝗢 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦 the Full Interview 🎥🔽 #WIvIND | @mdsirajofficial… pic.twitter.com/SQKq9SiSnm

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 24, 2023

Mukesh had an impressive debut on a flat lifeless deck with figures of 18-6-48-2 to show for his efforts.

“When you (Siraj) and JD (Unadkat) bhai were bowling, Rohit bhai said ‘it’s not a pitch where you can get wickets instantly. You need to work hard’. I had to set up the batter with consistent bowling,” said Mukesh, who was picked by former Bengal seamer Ranadeb Bose, during an open trial back in 2013-14 season under the ambitious ‘Vision2020’ project.

Although he was mentally ready, having gone through the paces in the nets, the moment he was told at the team meeting a day before, it took some time to sink in.

“When I came to know that I will be playing, I was shocked and actually completely zoned out. Whether I play or not, I am always prepared, so I went to attend the team meeting, keeping in mind that I need to follow my process. But there was some gut feel that I might play.” His mother was emotional and all those associated in this journey were very happy.

“So when it’s morning over here, its evening in India. So by evening, when I reached hotel, I spoke to my mom, that’s a special feeling that ‘Maa main desh ke liye khel raha hoon (Mom, I am playing for the country). All my relatives and all those who supported me from start are happy,” he told Siraj.