Mukesh Kumar has emerged as an unlikely but crucial weapon for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026, silencing doubters with discipline and control. Backed by the team management, the Bengal pacer relied on hard lengths and consistency. NEW DELHI: In Delhi Capitals’ (DC) 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) opener against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), there were many raised eyebrows over the inclusion of Mukesh Kumar in the playing XI. The reason was simple. Fans, pundits and journalists in the press box expected 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 have forgotten that Mukesh has been part of the DC setup for longer and has proved his worth since joining the franchise in IPL 2023 at a price of Rs 5.50 crore. He was also a domestic stalwart and earned a call-up to India, subsequently playing all three formats for India during the 2023 Caribbean tour.
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IPL 2026: Mukesh Kumar on Shami’s impact and India’s comeback plans Thirty-six balls in two matches is not a large sample size, but he scored 20 in six overs. Against Lucknow, he troubled Rishabh Pant with his probing lengths and dropped 11 dots off his 18 deliveries.“This is not just one or two matches. It is a 14-match tournament. If the team doesn’t support you, it will be difficult,” he told reporters after Delhi’s six-wicket win over Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Lucknow, Apr 01 (ANI): Mukesh Kumar of Delhi Capitals celebrates the wicket of Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant during the Indian Premier League 2026 match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekan Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday. (NOT a photo)
Against Mumbai in the afternoon game, he started with a bigger length, looking for movement but Ryan Rickelton hit him on the boundary. Two balls later he went for the wicket again and was dispatched for another boundary. The canny walker then pulled his length back, leaving Rickelton to fight against the Test-match line and was rewarded with his wicket. He then fooled Tilak Varma with a change of pace and completed a crisp catch and bowling. His effort drew praise from Jasprit Bumrah, who called him “Mukesh McGrath” in a light-hearted post-match interview.The last twelve months have been difficult for the thirty-two-year-old. He has dealt with back-to-back injuries, first to a hamstring and then to a strained calf that saw him miss a significant portion of the domestic season.
They always talk about my abilities. He keeps telling me that what I have done in your hands is not passed by anyone else.
Mukesh Kumar on interview with Munaf Patel
Before the season, Mukesh had a long chat with DC bowling coach Munaf Patel, who reminded him of the art he possesses.“He’s always talking about my abilities. He keeps telling me.” What I have done in your hands is not available to anyone else. (The art you have is very unique). He keeps saying I am the best bowler,” said Mukesh during a pre-season interaction.
New Delhi, Apr 04 (ANI): Delhi Capitals’ Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Mukesh Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav celebrate the wicket of Mumbai Indians batsman Sherfan Rutherford during the Indian Premier League 2026 match against Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday. (ANI Photo/Jitender Gupta)
Tahoun from Bihar’s Gopalganj district knows how to prove his doubters wrong. He played cricket in Bihar against the wishes of his father, the late Kashinath Singh. He then moved to Kolkata in 2012 to support his father’s struggling taxi business. But frustrated with the transport job, he started playing second league matches at the Maidans for Rs 400 to 500.Mukesh was a favorite of former Bengal head coach Arun Lal because of his ability to mix long spells. Lal calls him a captain’s dream and a batsman’s nightmare as he doesn’t give them an inch.The secret to Kumar’s ability to spell long spells lies in his hunger to learn and improve. These qualities caught the attention of VVS Laxman, Waqar Younis and Muttiah Muralitharan during the Vision 2020 program organized by the Cricket Association of Bengal in 2014.
I watched Hazlewood bowling last year. He consistently hit Test lengths. Our coach advised me to focus on my strengths and focus on that area. It is difficult to score, especially if the ball is moving. If one hits you on a good day, that’s fine, but it’s generally a safe and effective option
Mukesh Kumar
After the Mumbai match, he admitted that he had been keeping a close eye on Josh Hazlewood, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s trump card last season, especially his ability to hit difficult lengths without fear of being hit for runs.“I watched Hazlewood bowl last year. He was consistently hitting lengths in Test matches. Our coach advised me to focus on my strengths and target that area. It’s difficult to score, especially when the ball is moving. If you get hit on a good day, that’s fine, but generally it’s a safe and effective option,” he said.Mukesh last played for India in 2024, but is on the verge of a comeback.
Lucknow, Apr 01 (ANI): Delhi Capitals’ Mukesh Kumar and David Miller celebrate Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant’s wicket during the Indian Premier League 2026 match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekan Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday. (NOT a photo)
“I spoke to the selectors,” Mukesh said of his top-wicket performance during India A’s tour of Australia at the end of 2024, just ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Test series.“The team had already been selected by then but it was good to be in the group. I spoke to the selectors and they said if I play in domestic cricket and in the IPL, I will come back.”The ferocious pacer has had an inspiring journey, something even MS Dhoni acknowledged when he met the former Indian captain during his first IPL season.
Lucknow, Apr 01 (ANI): Mukesh Kumar of Delhi Capitals celebrates the wicket of Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant during the Indian Premier League 2026 match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekan Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday. (NOT a photo)
Now, as Delhi Capitals look to build momentum, Mukesh Kumar no longer fills the starting XI. He dictates terms with quiet authority. In a format dominated by big hits and bigger reputations, his story is a reminder that control still counts. One dot behind the ball, Mukesh is not only reviving his career but reshaping games.
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