India pacer Mukesh Kumar caused a stir on social media after posting a cryptic Instagram story just two days ahead of India’s first Test against England. On June 18, Kumar shared the message “Karma is unforgiving” without elaborating on its meaning. The post quickly went viral, leading to widespread speculation about his frustration over being left out of the Test squad for the England tour.
Kumar, a right-arm seamer from Bengal known for his consistent domestic performances, has found himself sidelined once again. His omission comes as India added young pacer Harshit Rana as cover for the Test squad. Rana, with limited experience in first-class cricket, was chosen over Mukesh, who has a stronger domestic record and more international exposure. The decision raised eyebrows, especially among fans who felt Kumar’s efforts in the Ranji Trophy were being overlooked.
Supporters were quick to interpret the post as a response to the selection snub. One fan on social media wrote, “Mukesh Kumar’s frustration is justified. He’s picked up 44 wickets in his last 11 games. What more does he have to do?” Another echoed the sentiment, saying, “Selections should reward hard work in domestic cricket. Otherwise, what message are we sending to the players grinding it out every season?”
Selection Row and Performance History Add to Debate
Mukesh Kumar has played three Test matches so far—one each in the West Indies, South Africa, and India. His most recent appearance came during India’s home Test series against England in early 2024, where he had a disappointing outing in Vizag. With just seven wickets from three matches and an economy rate of 3.78, the selectors may have felt it was time to look elsewhere. Still, many believe his record warranted at least a backup role, especially with conditions in England favoring swing and seam bowlers.
The post, which read, “Karma bides its time. You will always have to watch out. Karma is unforgiving and always gets payback,” has been widely interpreted as a sign of disappointment. Although Mukesh has not publicly addressed the story or clarified its intent, the timing has left little doubt in the minds of fans and cricket followers.
While the Indian team prepares for the high-stakes Test series against England, Mukesh Kumar’s exclusion and social media outburst underline the growing debate around fairness in team selections. For now, Mukesh remains on the outside looking in, but his statement ensures that the conversation around merit, loyalty to domestic cricket, and selection transparency is far from over.
