WATCH, AUS-A vs IND-A | Mukesh Kumar’s expert hammering keeps the groundsman at bay amidst absolute Mackay scenes

ByArijit Kundu, SportsCafe Editor

11/02/2024

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How often do you get to see an expert stranded by the side watching an amateur do his job effortlessly? Similar were the scenes on the third day of the unofficial Test between India A and Australia A at Mackay when Mukesh Kumar kept a groundsman at bay and hammered the strip with his own hands.

Devdutt Padikkal and B Sai Sudharsan failed to transcend their merry-making from the previous day in the morning as the former paved the way for an Indian collapse for 312. Aiming to chase down a 225-run fourth innings total, Mukesh Kumar cleaned up Sam Konstas early before Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris jolted a 41-run stand before the duo faltered lately. However, an unusual event took centre stage with the groundsman being summoned in the field at the cusp end of the innings.

One of the footages focus on Mukesh Kumar taking the hammer from the groundsman who rushed into the field. He sat near the leg stump area of a right-hander and started hammering with India A allies surrounding the Gopalgunj-born pacer. Eventually, he was patted by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, and the groundsman was seen taking Manav Suthar with him at the front seat of the gold caddie. As the vehicle moved, Suthar’s cap flew off to the back area of the car and the groundsman dropped him near the edge of the boundary ropes where he would field. The whole incident at Mackay made a round in social media with absolute scenes from the third day.

Absolute scenes!