Mukesh Kumar is tipped to make his Test debut for India in upcoming West Indies Tests.
Mukesh turned out for Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2023 and picked 7 wickets from 10 IPL matches and won Delhi their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad defending 12 runs in the final over.
Mukesh Kumar revealed his growth in the IPL 2023 and revealed one conversation with MS Dhoni that stuck by him.
"I always wanted to meet Dhoni bhaiya and ask him a couple of things. This happened because of the IPL. I met him and the first thing I asked him What exactly do you tell your bowlers as a captain and wicketkeeper?" Kumar said to Times of India.
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Mukesh said that Dhoni told him to try new things and that it was essential to grow as a cricketer.
"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. He said you need to do 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 added.
"I am really thankful to Delhi Capitals for giving me the opportunity. IPL was a good learning experience. Ahead of the IPL, I spoke to Ranadeb bhaiya (Ranadeb Bose). He told me how to handle the pressure. Ishant (Sharma) bhaiya has helped me a lot. Bowl like this, try and deliver the ball from this angle, try and hit this spot on the pitch - all these things he taught me. He asked me develop as many skills in my bowling as possible," Mukesh said.
Mukesh Kumar is tipped to make his India Test debut in the West Indies in absence of Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav.
(Times of India inputs)