'The kala in his hand': How Mukesh Kumar became Delhi Capitals' go-to bowler
Mukesh Kumar has emerged as an unlikely yet vital weapon for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026, silencing doubters with discipline and control. Backed by the team management, the Bengal pacer has relied on hard lengths and consistency to deliver.
NEW DELHI: At the toss of the Delhi Capitals' (DC) opening match of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), many eyebrows were raised at Mukesh Kumar's inclusion in the playing XI. The reason was simple. Fans, pundits and journalists in the press box were expecting Aquib Nabi, who had a sensational domestic season and was bought by DC for Rs 8.
40 crore, to make his IPL debut. But many forgot that Mukesh has been part of the DC set-up longer and has proved his worth since joining the franchise in IPL 2023 for a price tag of Rs 5. 50 crore.
He has also been a domestic bulwark and earned an India call-up, subsequently playing all three formats for India during the 2023 tour of the Caribbean. Thirty-six balls in two matches is not a big sample size, but in six overs, he has bowled 20 dot balls. Against Lucknow, he troubled Rishabh Pant with his probing lengths, bowling 11 dot balls in his 18 deliveries.
"This isn’t just one or two matches. It’s a 14-match tournament. If the team doesn’t back you, it becomes difficult," he told reporters after Delhi's six-wicket win over the Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
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