Cricketer Mukesh
Kumar, a seam bowler from West Bengal, has received his maiden India call-up in
the One Day International (ODI) series against South Africa. He along with
Rajat Patidar are two of the newest members in the young India squad to be led
by Shikhar Dhawan. India will play three ODIs against the Proteas, the first of
which will be played on October 9.

Who is
Mukesh Kumar?

Mukesh
Kumar was born on October 12, 1993 in Bihar’s Gopalgunj. The 28-year-old is a
right arm medium pace bowler and a right-hand batter. Kumar plays for the
Bengal squad in the Ranji Trophy. He debuted for Bengal in a match against
Rohtak on October 30, 2015.

Mukesh
Kumar moved to West Bengal capital Kolkata after his father met with an
accident in 2012, according to the Indian Express. Kumar’s father has a taxi
business in Kolkata.

Mukesh
Kumar has picked up 109 wickets in the 30 First class matches he has played so
far. His India A numbers, however, are not as impressive. Kumar has picked up
17 wickets in 18 matches at an average of 44.0. Mukesh Kumar has played 17 T20
Internationals for Bengal picking up 19 wickets at an economy of 7.25.

Also Read | Mukesh Kumar, Rajat Patidar get India call-up in South Africa ODI series

Mukesh Kumar
came into the limelight after a scintillating performance in the Ranji Trophy.
The Bengal pacer took a five-wicket haul in the first innings against Bangalore
and finished as the joint highest wicket taker. His nine wickets came at an
average of 21.78. In the Ranji Trophy semifinals, Mukesh Kumar picked up four
wickets giving 66 runs. He also took a four-wicket haul in the Irani Cup.  

The India
squad for the ODI series against South Africa is: Shikhar Dhawan (captain),
Shreyas Iyer (vice captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Rahul
Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur,
Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Siraj and
Deepak Chahar.