Sourav Ganguly arranged for my stay: Young pacer Mukesh recalls journey after maiden India A call-up
India Today
Young Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar revealed that the current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly (then CAB chief) arranged for his stay at the Eden Gardens.
Young pacer Mukesh Kumar was rewarded for his consistent performances for Bengal in the recently-concluded Ranji Trophy season as he received his maiden India A call-up. Hailing from Gopalgunj in Bihar, Mukesh faced enormous struggles after shifting to Kolkata during the initial years of his playing career.
Mukesh, who was also found to be malnourished, revealed that the current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly (then CAB chief) arranged for his stay at the Eden Gardens and his diet was also taken care of. Mukesh took 20 wickets at an average of 24.75, ending as Bengal's leading wicket-taking pacer in the Ranji Trophy.
"I was playing for a first division club, Shibpur Institute, and that season, we were fighting to save relegation. I remember it was a crucial game but I wanted to chance my luck at the trials," Mukesh was quoted as saying by the news agency PTI.
Mukesh Kumar could paint a vivid image of that afternoon which changed a lot of things and has now culminated in his maiden India A call-up.
"I used to get paid peanuts as it wasn't one of the rich clubs. So there would be days when I would play two to three "khep" games to supplement my income," said the man from Bihar's Gopalganj.
"That day, I was determined to give that trial and see if the track of my career changed. But it could have been completely different had Rano sir (Bose) not been there," he remembered.
"Since I was among the last few in the queue, I told the guy before me that I wanted to relieve myself and hence just keep in my place as I would be back from the washroom.
