Hope Mukund makes India cut soon: Coach

In five Test matches, Mukund has scored 211 runs with a highest of 62 and an average of just above 20. The numbers aren’t anywhere close to what it needs to be to stay at the highest level, but Mukund hasn’t lost hope.

In 2016, Mukund has been in the form of his life. After sizzling with the pink ball in the Duleep Trophy (77 and 169), he guided Tuti Patriots (91 and 82* in the semi-final and final) to the inaugural Tamil Nadu Premier League title. In the domestic season that followed, Mukund has scored three centuries (100, 154, 100) in five Ranji Trophy games; with a highest of 154 against Uttar Pradesh at Dharamsala, which was keenly observed by the Chairman of Selectors M S K Prasad. The Tamil Nadu batsman has been making a statement with some aggressive and important performances. With Rohit Sharma, Shikar Dhawan and K L Rahul injured and combined with India coach Anil Kumble’s ‘play in domestic season before getting back into the Indian team’ policy, Mukund should be in the selectors radar soon. Tamil Nadu coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar hoped Mukund would make the cut sooner than later. 

“The selectors would have discussed his name. They would definitely have him on their minds. These kind of performances do not go unnoticed generally. He had a good Duleep Trophy too,” Kanitkar said. Mukund was chosen to lead Tamil Nadu after a gruelling preseason in Dehradun in the last week of September. Kanitkar said Mukund has justified in the role and players look up to him. “He has led the team earlier. His experience of playing at the highest level and loads of first-class cricket has gone in his favour. He acts as a role model too,” the coach added. According to Kanitkar, the state team is lucky to have a cricketer like him. “He knows his game. He is aware of his strengths and weaknesses. He knows how to go about in his business as both a captain and a batsman. He renders stability at the top of the order that every team needs. I am sure he would want to keep going better,” Kanitkar concluded.