Mukesh Kumar for Champions Trophy? Pacer makes it 13 wickets in 6 games for Bengal

Mukesh Kumar cannot stop taking wickets. The Bengal pacer was unable to find a place in India’s Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but he’s been tearing it up in the ongoing 2024/25 Vijay Hazare Trophy season to make a serious case for being considered for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. 

The right-armer has picked 13 wickets in 6 games this season, and, on January 9 (Thursday), notched up his fourth consecutive 2+ wicket haul of the campaign. 

Mukesh’s fifth 2+ wkt haul of the season in six games came in the pre-quarterfinal clash against Haryana, where he first dismissed opener Arsh Ranga before rounding off the innings with the wicket of No.10 batter Amit Rana. 

In all, he sent down nine overs and registered figures of 2/46, bowling two maidens in the process. It was a massive effort, considering every other Bengal bowler was expensive, with Haryana scoring 298/9.

On the day, Mukesh outshone fellow India teammate Mohammed Shami, who was expensive, going for 61 off his 10 overs despite taking three wickets. Shami’s figures read 1/40 after six overs, but he recovered well in the end, taking the wickets of Anshul Kamboj and Dinesh Bana. 

With the preliminary squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 set to be announced in three days’ time, Mukesh is someone who might very well be on the selectors' radar. The 31-year-old also has prior ODI experience, having played six 50-over games, taking five wickets at an E.R of 5.56.