Indian fast bowler Mukesh Kumar has joined Nottinghamshire’s county championship side for the last two matches of the current season. The 32-year- old has appeared in three Tests for India, claiming seven wickets. Kumar arrives with 233 first-class wickets to his name, all acquired in India before this assignment.
He has also played 26 international matches for India, including three Tests and 17 T20 Internationals, with his latest Test being against England in 2024. Head coach Peter Moores called Kumar a ” quality addition at such a crucial point of the season.” Renowned for his exceptional precision in domestic cricket, Kumar has claimed 233 first-class wickets across 60 matches at an impressive average of 21.79.
Just days prior to joining Nottinghamshire, Kumar delivered figures of 3-62 to assist East Zone in defeating South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final, securing the title for East Zone for the first time in 14 years. That standout performance in a crucial final highlights why Nottinghamshire acted swiftly to bring him on board before their own title race.
Nottinghamshire are currently in second place in Division One, four points behind Somerset. With just two Championship matches remaining in the 2026 season, there’s little room for error, and each bowling point will carry greater significance in the title race. Securing maximum points from both remaining matches, alongside a Somerset error, offers the most straightforward path to the title.
Kumar’s international background and strong performance in the Duleep Trophy position him as an ideal addition to Nottinghamshire’s seam bowling attack, arriving at exactly the right time. The club hasn’t revealed the exact matches in which he’ll play, but his availability spans both remaining games, offering the coaching staff complete flexibility in how they use him during the final stretch.
