While the likes of Sam Curran (18.50 Crore), Cameron Green(17.50 Crore), Ben Stokes (16.25 Crore), Nicholas Pooran (16 Crore) and Harry Brook (13.25 Crore) hogged headlines with their heft price tags in the IPL 2023 mini-auction, there were some uncapped Indian cricketers who secured handsome deals with various franchises.

Among them, one was the Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar, who was roped in by Delhi Capitals (DC) for INR 5.5 Crore.

Speaking to Sportskeeda, Mukesh said he is very excited to be picked by DC, saying the team made him feel a part of their family even when he was associated with them as a net bowler.

“Excited to be picked up by Delhi because I was a net bowler for them last year. The great thing about them is they even made a net bowler like me feel like a part of the family. That was the first thing that Ricky Ponting sir had said on my first day that we are not a team, we are a family,” Mukesh stated.

“Generally only the players in the squad for in the huddle, but Ponting sir ensured that we eight net bowlers were also a part of their huddle and a part of each of their strategy,” he added.

Mukesh said he was moved by Ponting’s warmth when he sustained a niggle after bowling for nine consecutive days.

“I once got a niggle due to bowling nine days in a row and I informed Ponting sir about it. Without even giving a second thought, he told me to rest completely for two days. He said it was important for me to get back to full fitness. I was moved by the warmth because at that point I was just a net bowler,” he said.

The 29-year-old said he enjoyed every ball he bowled as a net bowler for DC.

“I had played a couple of practice matches last year and had bowled well. I noticed that whenever I bowled in the nets, Ponting sir, Pravin Amre sir, Shane Watson sir and Ajit Agarkar sir used to take a closer look at my rhythm and seam positioning. It inspired me to work harder because all these are legends of the game. I enjoyed every ball that I bowled as a net bowler,” he concluded.