'I'm sure dad would be happy now seeing my rise' - Mukesh Kumar after India call-up

West Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar got emotional after being included in India's Test and ODI squad for the forthcoming West Indies tour in July. Team India will play two Test matches, three ODIs, and five T20Is during their visit to the Caribbean nation. 

After getting a call-up to the Test squad, Kumar stated that his late father would be happy to see his rise. The 29-year-old has also thanked all his friends for believing in him. He added that Sourav Ganguly, Joydeep Mukherjee, and his guru Ranadeb Bose have always guided him in red-ball cricket and he believes he would not have survived without their assistance.

"My dream is now in front of me. I always wanted to be here -- to play Tests for India. And, I've finally arrived. I'm sure dad would be happy now seeing my rise. Mummy, papa's support will always be there and to all my friends for believing in me... Vision 2020. Sourav Ganguly Sir, Joydeep (Mukherjee) Sir and my guru Ranadeb Bose sir who has always guided me in red-ball cricket. Without their help, I don't think I would have survived,” Kumar was quoted Times of India.

From where I began and where I'm now, it feels completely surreal: Mukesh Kumar

After many ups and downs, the right-arm pacer described his joy of getting a spot in the Indian team as surreal.

"Kahan se start kiya tha, aur kahan pahuncha (from where I began and where I'm now, it feels completely surreal)," the pacer added.

Mukesh was called up to the Indian cricket team for the first time for a T20I series against Sri Lanka in December 2022. He has played 39 first-class matches, taking 149 wickets at an average of 21.55 and claiming six five-wicket hauls. The 29-year-old pacer, who played for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL), picked up seven wickets from ten matches, at an average of 46.57 and an economy rate of 10.52.