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Kolkata
Lucknow Super Giants’ young batter Mukul Choudhary turned heads with a match-winning knock against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026. The 21-year-old from Rajasthan smashed an unbeaten 54 off 27 balls, including 7 sixes and 2 fours, to chase down 182 on the last ball at Eden Gardens on April 9.
Choudhary came in when LSG were struggling at 128/7 after 16 overs, needing 54 off 24 balls with just the tail to support. He scored just 2 runs off his first 8 balls but then exploded, hitting 53 off the next 22. His bat speed powered the chase, turning pressure into a thrilling three-wicket win.
The secret? Relentless practice. “My body is a little powerful, and that has come to me naturally. I also practise hitting 100-150 sixes every day, so the bat speed develops,” Choudhary said. He has followed this regime for the last five to six months.
Inspired by MS Dhoni, Choudhary nailed the helicopter shot off Vaibhav Arora’s yorker in the 17th over. “I have practised that shot since childhood… the way MS Dhoni finished an innings. He used to hit a six even off a yorker,” he revealed. Hitting yorkers breaks bowlers’ confidence, he added.
LSG coach Justin Langer backed him early, buying Choudhary for Rs 2.60 crore after his Syed Mushtaq Ali heroics, needing 25 off the last over. Langer spends 10-15 minutes daily in nets with him. “He showed faith in me,” Choudhary praised.
Deep breathing keeps him calm. “Take 2-3 deep breaths, watch the ball and play,” he said. His father Dalip sacrificed his teaching job to fuel this dream. Skipper Rishabh Pant urged him: “Don’t think so much.”
This knock gives Choudhary a “new identity” in his third IPL game. LSG fans celebrate their finisher.
