Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar has been in the news recently for his career best 6 for 61 against the formidable Karnataka team in the Ranji trophy to take his side to a 174-run victory.
However, 26-year-old Mukesh's journey to being a prized bowler for his side has been one wrought with struggles which many few manage to overcome.
Mukesh's journey began in a small village in Bihar. He lived there with his siblings and uncle, while his parents live in Kolkata.
"My father was a taxi driver. He brought me to Kolkata in 2013. We thought I'd get admitted to a school here and study. I always had problems with studies," chuckles Mukesh while speaking to The Quint.
Mukesh, however, wanted to go back to his village and study there. He'd play there with his friends, which is how he got to playing the sport.
Soon he went back.
After he finished his studies, Mukesh was called back to Kolkata by his father to look for a job.
While in Kolkata, Mukesh used to play at the maidan in front of Victoria Memorial.
One day he was discovered while playing tennis ball cricket by someone associated with the Town Club.
While playing club cricket off and on, Mukesh kept an eye on the Bengal team.
Then in 2014, he got the opportunity to try out for Cricket Association Of Bengal's (CAB) 'Vision 2020' camp which was being conducted by legendary Pakistani bowler Waqar Younus.
While Mukesh didn't impress Younus much, he was taken under the wing of Bengal cricketer Ranadeb Bose.
Mukesh's consistent performances at the club level got him a spot at the Bengal Ranji team, even without him having played any first-class cricket.
Even then different people pitched to get him playing on the field.
He debuted against Haryana in his first Ranji outing and shocked everyone when he took the wicket of Virender Sehwag.
Soon after lunch, Kumar took Sehwag's wicket and Dinda agreed that he'd lived up to his word.
In that tournament, he also broke the middle finger of his bowling arm. The finger now acts as a deceiver for his bowling action.
Mukesh now wants to first play for India A and then ultimately for Team India.
When asked if he has any message for those like him who have a life of struggle but want to play cricket, Mukesh asks them to believe in their hard work.
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