NEW DELHI: The last time Mukesh Kumar played for India, he claimed a four-wicket haul against Zimbabwe in Harare. Since then, he has been out of the national setup. More than two years later, the Bengal pacer is back on the selectorsтАЩ radar after being picked in the India A squad for the New Zealand tour.What can a cricketer do when they have played all three formats for India and are then suddenly left out in the cold? “Bas lage rhna hai (All we can do is keep pushing),” Mukesh tells TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.Mukesh, who will turn 33 in three days, is getting ready to play his sixth first-class game in less than two months. He picked up 12 wickets in East Zone’s title triumph in the Duleep Trophy, then went on to play a county match for Nottinghamshire, before returning to pick up eight wickets in the Irani Cup, helping Rest of India lift the trophy. Now, from Sunday, he will be playing for Bengal against Delhi in their Ranji Trophy opener before taking a flight to New Zealand.The seamer, who struggled with a calf injury last season, admits he is at his best in terms of fitness and says he has found his rhythm.
The longer I play through a season, the better my rhythm becomes. That did not happen last year because of the injury.
Mukesh Kumar
“As a rhythm bowler, I need to play regularly to get into my groove, particularly in red-ball cricket. The longer I play through a season, the better my rhythm becomes. That did not happen last year because of the injury,” he said.“I had an injury last year and did not get to play much. I played only three Ranji Trophy matches, two or three Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches and five Vijay Hazare Trophy matches. This year, however, I have already been part of teams that won the Duleep Trophy and the Irani Cup. I am enjoying my cricket, my body is getting into a rhythm, and I feel I have prepared well,” he added.One thing Mukesh is enjoying most about this season is the way the ball is leaving his hand. What has worked well for him is his upright seam. He feels his wrist is firmly cocked at the point of delivery, and his slightly split fingers come down so straight that the seam invariably comes out bolt upright.
Chennai: East Zone’s Mukesh Kumar bowls on day 4 of the Duleep Trophy 2026-27 final cricket match between South Zone and East Zone, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. (PTI Photo/R Senthilkumar)(PTI09_09_2026_000087A)
“My strength is my seam position. I am not someone who relies heavily on swing. Whatever the ball is, whether it is an SG, Duke or Kookaburra, I try to land it on the seam,” he said.“My rhythm was slightly off in the first innings (of the Duleep Trophy). I could not quite understand what was happening, although the pitch was offering plenty of assistance on the first day. Even when my rhythm was not at its best, I managed to trouble the batters. I started finding my rhythm towards the end of the first innings, and it carried into the second innings. Once that happened, you saw the difference.”Mukesh also candidly admits that most of his wickets this season have come with the SG ball. Of the 22 wickets he has taken this season, 21 have come in India with the SG ball. He picked up a solitary wicket in the one county match he played for Nottinghamshire. Mukesh has experience of bowling in different conditions, but this time around, he is doing his homework before landing in New Zealand.
Recently, I had a long chat with Mohammed Shami as well. He has shared his experience of bowling in New Zealand and has advised me on things I can do differently.
Mukesh Kumar
In the Bengal team, he shares the dressing room with Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep, but he has also reached out to Sourav Ganguly.“I have played in Australia, Bangladesh and South Africa, so I have experience of bowling in different conditions,” he said.“I speak to Ranadeb Bose most often. I also talk to Laxmi Ratan Shukla. Recently, I had a long chat with Mohammed Shami as well. He has shared his experience of bowling in New Zealand and has advised me on things I can do differently.“I have also met Sourav sir. He was one of India’s best captains. He has shared details about the conditions in New Zealand. I enjoyed exchanging ideas with him,” said Mukesh.
Chennai: East Zone’s Mukesh Kumar bowls on day 3 of the Duleep Trophy 2026-27 final cricket match between South Zone and East Zone, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. (PTI Photo/R Senthilkumar)(PTI09_08_2026_000136A)
Mukesh knows he is not getting any younger. He has the skill set but for fast bowlers, that’s not always enough. A three-point plan was drawn for the off-season and the hard yards are paying off.“The first thing I worked a lot on was my fitness. I have also worked extensively on my line and length. Lastly, I have added a few yards to my pace. These were the three areas I focused on, and the improvement was visible in my bowling during the Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup,” he said.Mukesh also talks about the insecurity that creeps into a fast bowler’s mind when he gets injured, as rehabilitation can be a long and frustrating process. He also explains the changes a bowler needs to make to regain full fitness.
At times, the mind can become frustrated when you are injured. Cricket is happening all over the world, and you are lying in bed, unable to play. You see other players representing India and wonder when you will return.
Mukesh Kumar
“A fast bowler has to be careful about his diet. You need to avoid too much oily and spicy food. Getting adequate sleep and maintaining good habits are key as well. Mental peace is another important aspect. If you keep worrying about things, you will not sleep properly and may end up staying awake all night. You need to eat well, sleep well, follow good habits and keep up with your rehabilitation. You must also follow the instructions of your trainers and physiotherapists.“At times, the mind can become frustrated when you are injured. Cricket is happening all over the world, and you are lying in bed, unable to play. You see other players representing India and wonder when you will return. I am very grateful to God that I have such a supportive family. Whatever happens at home, my family ensures that it does not affect me. My mother, in particular, makes sure that I do not have to worry about anything. Now I have my wife as well, so that support system is important,” he said.For fast bowlers, the packed cricket calendar leaves little room to breathe. The IPL is followed by state leagues and then a packed domestic season featuring tournaments such as the Duleep Trophy, Irani Cup and Ranji Trophy, along with the white-ball competitions. With matches coming thick and fast, managing workloads becomes crucial, particularly for bowlers whose bodies endure immense physical stress. Injuries can derail careers, making it essential to recognise the warning signs.
Bengaluru: East Zone’s Mukesh Kumar with captain Ishan Kishan on day three of the Duleep Trophy Semi-final 1 cricket match between Central Zone and East Zone, at BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) grounds, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)(PTI09_01_2026_000192A)
So, how does a fast bowler know when he is pushing his body too far?“Body hamesha 80% hi rehta hai, 20% niggle toh rehta hi hai (A fast bowler can never be 100% fit. There will always be some niggle or the other),” he said with a laugh.“Before an injury happens, the body gives you signals. It is almost as if God is telling you not to push yourself any further because something could go wrong. The body works in a similar way. If you push beyond your limits, you may end up getting injured. If you understand your body and recognise those warning signs, you can ease off and ask for rest when necessary. For example, if you feel tightness or stiffness, you should communicate that to the team management and explain that you might need a break from the next match. Ultimately, it also depends on what the management wants and how it assesses the situation.“You have to recognise when your workload is becoming excessive. If there is a tight match, you naturally want to give everything you have. You feel that whatever happens afterwards can be dealt with later. But you cannot approach every match that way. You have to understand when your body needs rest. If you do not, you could end up paying a heavy price,” he further explained.A workhorse in domestic cricket, Mukesh has earned recognition for his performances and is now back in contention for a place in the national setup. With a new challenge awaiting him in New Zealand, the Bengal pacer knows that every opportunity counts. After more than two years on the sidelines, he is determined to keep pushing and make his way back into the Indian dressing room.
