Former India player RP Singh feels Mukesh Kumar’s future role in white-ball cricket has not got fixed yet, considering the way he was used in the recently concluded Test series between India and the West Indies as well. Mukesh was used as a death bowler initially in the five-match T20I series against the Windies. He picked up three wickets in 12.5 overs at a reasonable economy rate of 8.80 as well. During a discussion on JioCinema, the veteran opined on whether he sees a future for Mukesh in white-ball cricket based on his performances against the West Indies.
“The team management and captain will have to think about how they want to use him. In the current picture, Mukesh Kumar’s role didn’t get defined for sure. It didn’t get defined what he brings to the table as a bowler. In my opinion, you need to give a fast bowler a few overs with the new ball and then at the death. Probably after one stage, the Indian team management and captain agreed that he is a death bowler and that is why he was seen bowling towards the end,” he added.
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However, Mukesh Kumar was used with the new ball in the ODI series against the Windies. He dismantled the top order in the final ODI by dismissing Brandon King, Kyle Mayers and Shai Hope in the first seven overs. RP Singh stated that Mukesh Kumar was neither given his full quota of overs nor the chance to showcase his full potential as well.
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“He wasn’t even given his full quota of overs. That also became a reason for concern. Mukesh Kumar didn’t show any great skills but he probably didn’t get that opportunity as well. He is bowling a good yorker at the death. He did exceptionally well in whatever tasks were given to him. He tried his best to complete whatever job was given to him. The captain has also said that you will be given different-different situations. In the last T20I, he bowled only one over. I am sure there would have been clarity on that beforehand,” he concluded.
