"Quality stuff": Bowling coach Paras Mhambrey lauds Mukesh Kumar

Mukesh Kumar dismissed West Indies debutant Kirk McKenzie to take his maiden international wicket.

India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey was all praises for debutant Mukesh Kumar’s lion-hearted effort with the ball in the ongoing second Test against West Indies at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain in Trinidad.

India posted a massive 438 runs in their first innings after being put into bat by West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite. Virat Kohli scored a magnificent century while Yashasvi Jaiswal made 57, Rohit Sharma made 80, Ravindra Jadeja scored 61 and R Ashwin added 56 runs.

For West Indies, Kemar Roach and Jomel Warrican took three wickets each.

In reply, West Indies scored 229/5 at the end of day three’s play with Kraigg Brathwaite top-scoring with 75.

Mukesh Kumar made his much-awaited Test debut in this match and picked the wicket of fellow West Indies debutant Kirk McKenzie. He impressed one and all on the lifeless pitch, sending down 14 overs for 35 runs.

“I think he bowled very well. Given the conditions and the way he has gone about putting everything behind the ball that is very heartening to see and that is what is expected from him and from the team management this is what we wanted. At least give his best and that’s what he has done.

I am extremely happy with the progress he has shown from the first ball of the first session he bowled, especially with the second new ball where he showed some signs of moving the new ball, really quality stuff," Mhambrey said after the end of day’s play.

The 29-year-old also got the new ball to swing and showed positive signs he belongs to the international level.

The first session (on Sunday) will be important: Paras Mhambrey

With West Indies still trailing by 209 runs, Mhambrey said the first session will be crucial on Day 4 will be crucial to India’s chances of winning the contest.

“I think the first session (on Sunday) will be important. It was heartening to see the way we swung the ball in the last session right now, both Siraj and Mukesh came in and swung the ball and troubled the batters and there were a couple of close calls out there.

Looking at that, I think the first session in the morning, first hour is going to be extremely crucial. If we pick up a couple of wickets it opens up the match for us and we can take the game forward and see where we are going ahead. What we look for from the bowlers is similar to what we have done right now - just hit the right areas, work with patience, and make the batsmen play," he added.

West Indies trails by 209 runs in the first innings with 5 wickets in hand.