Former India player Arun Lal has expressed immense pride in the ascent of seamer Mukesh Kumar, especially following his impactful performance in India’s recent victory against South Africa in the Cape Town Test. Speaking at the Kerala Literature Festival, Lal, who coached the Bengal team where Mukesh was a standout bowler, reminisced about Mukesh’s journey.

“I was ecstatic, watching him bowl those fine spells,” Lal said, reflecting on Mukesh’s role in the Test match. He praised Mukesh’s dedication, noting, “He is a team man, and you will never hear him complain.”

Lal recalled his initial impressions of Mukesh, stating, “He came up the hard way.” He shared an anecdote about Mukesh’s early days, saying, “I had heard about him even before I met him. I was told that he would stand behind the nets in Kolkata and ask for a chance to bowl. From there to playing for India, it is really remarkable.”

Lal believes that Mukesh’s talent warranted an earlier call-up to the national team. “He was this good even in 2020,” he asserted. He praised Mukesh’s consistency and knack for breaking partnerships, describing him as a “captain and coach’s delight.”

Additionally, Lal expressed his satisfaction with Mohammed Shami, another seamer from Bengal he worked with. He highlighted Shami’s exceptional talent and opined that Shami should have been a fixture from the start in the World Cup. Follow your favourite cricket team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet. 

While pleased with domestic cricket’s current state, Lal suggested improvements, particularly concerning the scheduling of India-A matches and the Ranji Trophy, to avoid clashes and ensure better player availability for domestic tournaments. 

Lal’s insights offer a glimpse into the nurturing of talent in Indian domestic cricket and the journey of players like Mukesh Kumar and Mohammed Shami, who have risen through the ranks to make significant contributions to Indian cricket on the international stage. Get free cricket betting tips only on Nextbet Sports.