'I could only remember my late father's face' - Emotional Mukesh Kumar opens up after maiden India call-up

Mukhesh Kumar (Source: Twitter)

Mukesh Kumar has been in the scheme of things of late with the national team and it is because of his domestic performances for Bengal. The uncapped pacer has earned his national call-up for the ODI series against South Africa, which is set to start on October 6, Thursday. The Indian cricket board announced the squad for the ODI series on Sunday and Shikhar Dhawan is all set to lead the Indian side. 

With the main string set to board the flight after the T20I series against the Proteas, India will play the second string team in the ODI series. Mukesh, known for his jocund personality, felt delighted about the national call-up and said that his father did not have enough faith in him. 

The 28-year-old, in all probability, might make his debut for team India in the series. With senior pacers making it to the 20-20 World Cup 2022 squad, Mukesh will look to make the most use of the opportunity. Recalling his father’s last words, Mukesh said that he got emotional on his maiden call-up. 

Everyone at home started crying: Mukesh Kumar

Mukesh said that the pacer that he could only remember his late father’s face when he heard about the news. Further, the young pacer expressed his desire to make a mark for himself in international cricket. 

“I got very emotional. It was all blur. I could only remember my father late Kashi Nath Singh's face. My father, till I played Ranji Trophy for Bengal did not think I am good enough to do well professionally. Unko Shaq thaa ki main kaabil hoon bhi ya nahi (He doubted whether I was good enough or not)," Mukesh was quoted as saying. 

“Today my mom had tears in her eyes. She was so emotional. Everyone at home started crying. Mujhe ground se dekhne se zyada meri mummy mujhe kaamyab dekhna pasand karenge. (More than watching me from the ground, my mother would like to see me become successful.),” the bowler concluded.