Delhi Capitals pacer Mukesh Kumar had a memorable outing in IPL 2026, not just for his match-winning performance but also for earning high praise from Jasprit Bumrah, who cheekily dubbed him “McGrath” after a stellar spell against the Mumbai Indians. Mukesh set the tone early in the match, striking inside the powerplay to dismiss the in-form Ryan Rickelton with a well-executed good-length delivery.
He followed it up almost instantly by removing Tilak Varma for a duck, completing a sharp return catch that showcased his reflexes and awareness. His early breakthroughs left the Mumbai Indians under pressure from the outset.
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Even Bumrah, known for his calm demeanour, couldn’t help but appreciate the effort. His light-hearted “Mukesh McGrath” remark had Rohit Sharma and Axar Patel in splits, highlighting the camaraderie on the field. Mukesh’s brilliance didn’t stop there. Later in the innings, he pulled off a stunning catch near the boundary to dismiss Sherfane Rutherford, timing his jump to perfection at deep square leg.
Mukki bhai, full name Mukesh Jonty McGrath Kumar 😂🫶 pic.twitter.com/Z2qoLGhaAT
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 5, 2026
With the ball, Mukesh returned figures of 2/26, playing a key role in restricting Mumbai Indians to 162/6. Suryakumar Yadav top-scored with 51, while Rohit chipped in with 35, but Delhi’s disciplined bowling unit kept things under control.
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In reply, Delhi Capitals chased down the target comfortably, powered by a sensational knock from Sameer Rizvi. His blistering 90 off 51 balls, combined with valuable contributions from Pathum Nissanka and David Miller, ensured a six-wicket win with 11 balls to spare.
It was a complete team performance from Delhi, but Mukesh Kumar’s impact with the ball and in the field stood out, earning both admiration and a memorable nickname from one of the game’s best fast bowlers.
