When life gives you an opportunity, grab it with both hands. Mukesh Kumar of Bengal did a similar act under difficult bowling conditions at the Ekana Stadium, Lucknow as he claimed a maiden five-wicket haul for the Rest of India side against Mumbai in the ensuing Irani Trophy clash.
With a wicket left in the bank, overnight batters Sarfaraz Khan and Mohammad Juned Khan hoped to extend their first innings score. However, the going wasn’t easy with Mukesh Kumar donning the ball in the morning. The pair could survive for seventeen balls in the morning before Mukesh showed a glimpse of his bowling beauty by getting the better of the tailender to fold them for 537 and claim his maiden fifer.
Having already scalped four wickets in the innings across a couple of days, Mukesh bowled a good length delivery at Juned that the batter tried to stonewall from the crease. However, he was outdone by the marginal inward seam movement while trying to play from inside the line. The ball whiskered past the outside edge to clatter the off stump and bundle Mumbai for 537. With this wicket, Mukesh was seen jubilant as he roared up with a giant leap after claiming his maiden fifer in the Irani Trophy having already removed Prithvi Shaw, Ayush Mhatre, Hardik Tamore, and Shams Mulani earlier.
Mukesh Bhai OP!
