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WI vs IND | Top 3 Reasons Why Mukesh Kumar Should Make Test Debut Against West Indies

image-ljidmv8sMukesh Kumar claimed 22 wickets for Bengal in Ranji Trophy 2022-23 [Source: Twitter]

After the recently concluded World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 cycle ended in disappointment, after a thumping 209-run loss against Australia in the final at The Oval, India are looking forward to grooming personnel for future tours. 

India's first assignment in the new WTC 2023-25 cycle will be against West Indies in short two-Test series in the Caribbean starting July 12. Team India selectors and management have rested high-profile names for the series, and are banking on youngsters to do well, and make their mark.

While batting mostly remains untouched, the bowling department will be all-new and will be spearheaded by Mohammed Siraj in the absence of Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah.

Apart from Siraj, India have included Jaydev Unadkat, Navdeep Saini, and Mukesh Kumar, who will all be eager to perform and stake a claim in the playing XI for the upcoming Test series involving England (h), South Africa (a), Bangladesh (h) and New Zealand (h). 

While Siraj and Unadkat are almost assured of a place in the XI, the spot for the third pacer will be between Saini and Kumar. 

In this piece, we discuss three points on why Kumar should make his debut for India in the first Test at Dominica:


Domestic Form

Kumar's domestic form has been terrific for Bengal and for India A. The Delhi Capitals bowler claimed 22 wickets in Ranji Trophy 2022-23, helping his state reach the final of the competition.

For India A, Kumar was even more impressive, picking up nine wickets against New Zealand A in September, and nine wickets on the Bangladesh tour, where Saini claimed six. Injuries have pushed Saini behind the pecking order, while consistent performance have pushed Kumar on the brink of India's Test cap, after the maiden red-ball national call-up. 

In 39 First-Class matches, the Bihar-born has scalped 149 wickets at an average of 21.55.


Adds Depth In Bowling Attack 

India's pace attack lately has been one-dimensional, with almost bowlers being predictable. The pace battery for the Windies tour has Siraj and Saini, who are hit-the-deck type, Unadkat, who relies on angles with his left-arm action, and then Kumar, who can swing the ball both ways and be on-point on most occasions.

Apart from bowling in-and-out swingers, the Bengal pacer is known to deploy the yorker to near-perfection, something that Jasprit Bumrah is a master at. 

With slow and slow tracks on offer in Windies, Kumar's impeccable line and length, apart from bowling probing lines come in handy, then making batters play out spells and keep them quiet. 


Ability To Bowl Long Spells

A major trait for any Test bowler is an inherent ability to bowl long spells. Bowling on low, slow, and benign pitches is demanding and takes a toll mentally and physically, thus making fast bowling in the longest format even more rigorous. 

With India's approach to bowling pacers in short spells abroad, a bowler who can bowl for longer durations will ease a lot of pressure off other bowlers. Kumar is someone who is known to put in the hard yard on the field, and toil for hours in search of a wicket. 

Potentially a new-ball bowler for India, Yadav could do what Josh Hazlewood does for Australia, bowl spells from one-end, while others rotate.