• Source:JND
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Pacer Mukesh Kumar received his maiden Test cap for the second match against West Indies in Port of Spain, Trinidad and got off to a good start in the ongoing clash. The pacer was in shock and completely zoned out when he received the news in the team meeting that he will be getting a chance in the playing 11.

Mukesh was prepared for his chance after sharing ample time with the team in the last few tours.

"When I came to know that I will be playing, I was shocked and actually completely zoned out. Whether I play or not, I am always prepared, so I went to attend the team meeting, keeping in mind that I need to follow my process. But there was some gut feel that I might play," Mukesh told Mohammed Siraj in an interaction posted on bcci.tv.

The 29-year-old was not the only happy soul as his mother and family also celebrated his feat for playing in the country.

"So when it's morning over here, its evening in India. So by evening, when I reached hotel, I spoke to my mom, that's a special feeling that 'Maa main desh ke liye khel raha hoon (Mom, I am playing for the country). All my relatives and all those who supported me from start are happy," he told Siraj.

Mukesh got two scalps in West Indies' first innings and recollected the maiden wicket celebration with senior player Virat Kohli.

"When I got the wicket, Virat bhaiya ran up and hugged me. I was in a different world. The man I have watched all these years on TV and looked up to is hugging you. It felt great," he said.

On the flat surface, skipper Rohit Sharma advised Mukesh to cover some extra yards to get scalps which the pacer did quite well.

"When you (Siraj) and JD (Unadkat) bhai were bowling, Rohit bhai said 'it's not a pitch where you can get wickets instantly. You need to work hard'. I had to set up the batter with consistent bowling," Mukesh said.

After declaring their second innings for 181/2, India have set the 365-run target for the hosts and need eight wickets on the final day to win the match.

West Indies were 76/2 at stumps on Day 4 and require 289 runs to win the match. India lead the two-match series by 1-0.