The path to international cricket for Mukesh Kumar wasn’t straightforward. Born in Bihar, he relocated to Kolkata after his father found work as a taxi driver and was involved in local cricket until his performance in a trial game for the Cricket Association of Bengal altered his path. After many years, he would become an India fast bowler in all forms of international cricket.
With precision and his knack of moving the ball, Mukesh has served Bengal at the domestic level and Delhi Capitals in the IPL. In addition, his journey also saw him travel to England in September 2026, where he played two games of County Championship for Nottinghamshire.
Who is Mukesh Kumar?
Mukesh Kumar is a right-handed fast-medium bowler from India, who hails from Gopalganj, Bihar. He began his journey through the ranks of domestic cricket of Bengal and got his first taste of international cricket against the West Indies in 2023.
Test, One Day International, and Twenty20 International cricketer of India, he has played for Delhi Capitals in the IPL since his debut year of 2023.
Mukesh Kumar Biography Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Mukesh Kumar |
| Date of birth | October 12, 1993 |
| Age | 32, as of September 28, 2026 |
| Birthplace | Gopalganj, Bihar, India |
| Hometown | Kakarkund village, Gopalganj district |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Batting style | Right-handed |
| Bowling style | Right-arm fast-medium |
| Primary role | Bowler |
| Domestic team | Bengal |
| IPL team | Delhi Capitals |
| County team in 2026 | Nottinghamshire |
| Father | The late Kashinath Singh |
| Wife | Divya Singh |
| International debut | Test debut against the West Indies in July 2023 |
| IPL debut | 2023 |
| IPL 2026 contract | ₹8 crore |
| Verified net worth | Not publicly disclosed |
How Old Is Mukesh Kumar?
Mukesh Kumar was born on October 12, 1993. He is 32 years old as of September 28, 2026, and will turn 33 in October.
Early Life and Family
Born in Kakarkund village of Bihar’s Gopalganj district, Mukesh aspired to be a cricketer right from the beginning but playing professional cricket was a distant dream. Mukesh’s father, Kashinath Singh, worked as a taxi driver in Kolkata and aspired to have his son settle into a more secure career path.
The player attempted to enlist in the armed forces but was unsuccessful in the attempt. After moving to Kolkata, he managed to earn small amounts by playing cricket games locally and helping his father.
Though Mukesh’s father had his reservations about Mukesh pursuing cricket professionally, he did not hesitate to support him. Mukesh says that his father suggested that he join him in Kolkata and get some experience to see if he can make cricket his career. His father passed away in 2019 before Mukesh debuted for India.
Who Is Mukesh Kumar’s Wife?
Mukesh Kumar is married to Divya Singh. The couple married on November 28, 2023, in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. Divya is from the Chapra area of Bihar.
Mukesh left the T20I series being played by India against Australia to attend his wedding ceremony. Apart from their marriage, which was public knowledge, they prefer keeping their personal affairs private.
The Trial That Changed His Career
It was the 2014 Cricket Association of Bengal trial that made a difference in his career trajectory. The Bengal fast bowler Ranadeb Bose recognized Mukesh’s talent of maintaining line and length of balls despite the fact that he was not quite physically fit for high level cricket.
The association provided him with the necessary assistance in training and condition. After overcoming his fitness issues and being included into the Bengal side, Mukesh debuted in the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy, starting his first-class cricket career which led to his inclusion into the Indian cricket team.
Cricket Career and Achievements
Bengal Domestic Career
The Bengal cricket domestic career became the foundation for Mukesh’s reputation. Instead of using pure pace, the player earned recognition for hitting the ball regularly into the useful areas outside off stump, moving the ball and bowling long spells.
Though he faced some injuries and competition for places at times, Mukesh managed to make his place in the team’s line-up. Mukesh was one of the players in the pace battery that helped Bengal reach Ranji Trophy finals in 2019-20 and 2022-23 seasons.
As of September 2026, he has taken over 230 first-class wickets. He had also earned opportunities to play India A teams and become a candidate for the senior national team.
India Debut in All Three Formats
His India debut came on July 20, 2023, in Tests against the West Indies in Port of Spain. On the same tour, Mukesh made his ODI debut on July 27, 2023, and T20I debut against the West Indies on August 3, 2023.
All three international debuts in such a short time became the evidence of a big shift in his career. The man who once earned small amounts participating in local Kolkata games now played Test, ODI and T20I for India.
International Career Stats
The figures below reflect his senior international appearances recorded until September 2026.
| Format | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Tests | 3 | 7 |
| ODIs | 6 | 5 |
| T20Is | 17 | 20 |
Statistics can vary any time a player gets selected. These figures represent the performance of the player till this particular time and don’t mean he/she has completed an international career in cricket.
County Cricket with Nottinghamshire
The player signed with Nottinghamshire in September 2026 for the last two matches of the English County Championship.
The temporary contract was helpful for him to have some experience on bowling under different weather conditions since it was Mukesh’s first time playing county cricket.
Career with Delhi Capitals
The player started his IPL career with Delhi Capitals in 2023. In 2024, he bowled 17 wickets in 10 matches for Delhi Capitals, thus becoming one of the significant members of their team.
In the IPL mega auction 2025, Delhi Capitals used their Right to Match and re-signed Mukesh for ₹8 crores. The franchise retained him for the 2026 season at that price.
| IPL season | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 | 7 |
| 2024 | 10 | 17 |
| 2025 | 12 | 12 |
| 2026 | 10 | 6 |
| Total | 42 | 42 |
The best statistics of his IPL bowling performance until 2026 were 4 for 33. The number of his wickets in 2026 was less than the highest one he got in 2024, but a single year performance does not say much about his skills or the future prospects for him.
What Is Mukesh Kumar’s IPL Salary?
The salary of Mukesh Kumar in 2026 IPL is ₹8 crore. It is the amount he was paid under his contract with Delhi Capitals. This number does not necessarily include the amount he earned personally because the money may have been spent on various expenditures and tax obligations.
It should also be noted that it does not include all possible sources of his income. Match payments for domestic and international cricket, county matches and any personal business deals will not fall into his IPL contract.
What Is Mukesh Kumar’s Net Worth?
Mukesh Kumar’s net worth is estimated to be around ₹15 to ₹20 crore. It is known that he earns in IPL, but this net worth is a combination of his finances including his income from other sources, debts, spending and even taxes.
Some sites report exact numbers, but these numbers should be considered as speculations unless the source reports how he managed to obtain reliable financial information of the player.
Lesser-Known Facts About Mukesh Kumar
- Mukesh grew up in Bihar but built his major domestic cricket career with Bengal.
- His father worked as a taxi driver in Kolkata.
- Before establishing himself in professional cricket, Mukesh played local matches for modest fees.
- He was noticed at a Cricket Association of Bengal trial in 2014.
- Former Bengal bowler Ranadeb Bose played an important role in supporting his development.
- He made his Test, ODI, and T20I debuts in 2023.
- Delhi Capitals used a Right to Match card to sign him for ₹8 crore ahead of IPL 2025.
- In 2026, he signed for a short County Championship stint with Nottinghamshire.
Frequently Asked Questions
He is from Kakarkund village in Gopalganj district, Bihar.
He is 32 years old as of September 28, 2026. His date of birth is October 12, 1993.
His wife is Divya Singh. They married in November 2023.
He represents Bengal in Indian domestic cricket, although he is originally from Bihar.
He plays for Delhi Capitals. He made his IPL debut with the franchise in 2023.
His reported contract value with Delhi Capitals for IPL 2026 is ₹8 crore.
He made his Test debut against the West Indies in July 2023. His ODI and T20I debuts followed later that year.
There is no verified public figure for his net worth. His reported IPL contract value should not be presented as his total wealth.
Final Thoughts
Mukesh Kumar’s career is a story of persistence rather than an easy rise through an established system. From local matches in Kolkata and a career-changing Bengal trial, he progressed to domestic success, an India debut in all three formats, and a substantial IPL contract.
As of September 2026, he remains active in professional cricket, including a county stint with Nottinghamshire. His path shows how much work can sit behind the moment a player finally receives an India cap.
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