India | Bowler
Mukesh Kumar,a cookie-cutter right-arm seamer who can nip the ball both ways.
| Full Name Mukesh Kumar | Born October 12, 1993, Gopalganj, Bihar | Age 31y 209d |
| Batting Style Right hand Bat | Bowling Style Right arm Medium | Playing Role Bowler |
Teams
 India |  Bengal |  Delhi capitals |  Rest of India |
About Mukesh Kumar
Mukesh Kumar, a 32-year-old right-arm medium pacer from Gopalganj, Bihar, has emerged as a vital cog in India’s cricketing machinery. Born on October 12, 1993, his journey from poverty-stricken beginnings—struggling with malnutrition and lacking funds for basic healthcare—to representing his nation is nothing short of inspirational . A right-handed batsman with sharp bowling instincts, Kumar’s dedication to his craft has earned him accolades across formats .
Early Career & Domestic Cricket
Kumar’s cricketing journey began in obscurity, but sheer perseverance propelled him into Bengal’s domestic setup. He made his first-class debut in 2015 against Haryana, showcasing his ability to swing the ball and trouble batsmen with disciplined line and length . Despite initial setbacks, including financial constraints that delayed critical medical tests like an MRI, his performances in the Ranji Trophy and List A cricket gradually cemented his reputation as a reliable seamer. By 2023, his domestic consistency had turned heads, paving the way for his IPL debut .
International Career
Mukesh Kumar’s international breakthrough came in 2023 during India’s tour of the West Indies , where he debuted across all formats 6. His ability to exploit early swing and maintain pressure made him a key asset in white-ball cricket. By 2025, he had become a regular in India’s limited-overs squads, often tasked with opening the bowling or steadying the middle overs . Notably, his performances in high-pressure matches earned him comparisons to established pacers, with experts praising his “swing-friendly action” and “unerring accuracy” .
Mukesh Kumar IPL factfile
– Mukesh Kumar was picked for a staggering INR 5.5 crore in the IPL 2023 auction by Delhi Capitals (DC). It was the second-highest price for an uncapped player that season.
– He didn’t have the best of starts with the franchise managing just seven wickets in ten matches at 46.57. Yet DC retained him for the next season.
– Mukesh repaid DC’s faith and returned 17 wickets in ten matches in IPL 2024, the joint-highest wicket-taker for them alongside Khaleel Ahmed. He was DC’s go-to bowler in the death where he delivered yorkers consistently.
– While he was not retained ahead of IPL 2025, DC exercised their RTM option and picked Mukesh for INR 8 crore at the latest auction.
Strong Zones
- Swing Mastery : Kumar’s natural ability to move the ball both ways, especially with the new ball, unsettles even seasoned batsmen .
- Death Overs : In T20s, his accurate yorkers and clever slower balls have restricted opponents to low totals .
- Consistency : Rarely erring in line and length, he builds pressure—a trait honed through relentless domestic grind .
Legacy & Impact
Mukesh Kumar’s story transcends cricket. Rising from rural Bihar, he symbolizes resilience, inspiring countless underprivileged athletes. His inclusion in India’s 2025 World Cup squad underscored his role as a “next-gen pacer” capable of bridging the gap between India’s aging fast-bowling legends and emerging talents . Beyond stats, his legacy lies in proving that grit can conquer adversity—a narrative etched into Indian cricket’s evolving identity
Mukesh Kumar Career Stats
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 3 | 6 | 284 | 179 | 7 | 2/0 | 4/56 | 25.57 | 3.78 | 40.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 6 | 6 | 234 | 217 | 5 | 3/30 | 3/30 | 43.40 | 5.56 | 46.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 17 | 17 | 324 | 487 | 20 | 4/22 | 4/22 | 24.35 | 9.01 | 16.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 51 | 94 | 9171 | 4435 | 207 | 6/32 | 10/50 | 21.42 | 2.90 | 44.3 | 12 | 9 | 1 |
| List A | 36 | 36 | 1677 | 1448 | 44 | 4/66 | 4/66 | 32.90 | 5.18 | 38.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 75 | 75 | 1507 | 2259 | 80 | 4/22 | 4/22 | 28.23 | 8.99 | 18.8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0* | 0.00 | 6 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 6 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 10.00 | 16 | 62.50 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| T20Is | 17 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4* | 5.00 | 5 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| FC | 51 | 62 | 32 | 227 | 28 | 7.56 | 522 | 43.48 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| List A | 36 | 15 | 10 | 60 | 16 | 12.00 | 85 | 70.58 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| T20s | 75 | 16 | 13 | 20 | 6* | 6.66 | 32 | 62.50 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
Debut/Last Matches of Mukesh Kumar
Test Matches
Debut
West Indies vs India at Port of Spain – July 20 – 24, 2023
Last
India vs England at Visakhapatnam – February 02 – 05, 2024
ODI Matches
Debut
West Indies vs India at Bridgetown – July 27, 2023
Last
South Africa vs India at Paarl – December 21, 2023
T20I Matches
Debut
West Indies vs India at Tarouba – August 03, 2023
Last
Zimbabwe vs India at Harare – July 14, 2024
FC Matches
Debut
Bengal vs Haryana at Rohtak – October 30 – November 02, 2015
Last
Haryana vs Bengal at Kalyani – January 23 – 25, 2025
List A Matches
Debut
Bengal vs UP at Rajkot – December 13, 2015
Last
Haryana vs Bengal at Vadodara – January 09, 2025
T20 Matches
Debut
Bengal vs Gujarat at Nagpur – January 06, 2016
Last
KKR vs DC at Delhi – April 29, 2025
2025 IPL TEAM
Delhi Capitals Sunrisers Hyderabad Rajasthan Royals Chennai Super kings Gujrat Titans Kolkata knight Riders Lucknow Super Giants Mumbai Indians Punjab Kings Royal Challengers Bengaluru