Justin Langer and Mukul Choudhary after the match. (Photo credit: IPL) NEW DELHI: A viral video of head coach Justin Langer declaring that he will make Mukul Choudhary “India’s most feared No. 6 or 7 batsman” came into limelight after the youngster played a stunning match-winning knock against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026.A video shared by LSG after their dramatic win over Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens shows Langer prophetically telling Mukul during training: “In the next four months, I’m going to make you the most feared No. 6 or 7 batsman in India.” After Mukul’s heroics, the clip went viral on social media.WATCH:The prophecy was fulfilled in dramatic fashionChasing 182, LSG were in deep trouble at 128/7 in 16 overs. What followed was a breathtaking display of power from Mukul, who was playing just his third IPL match.The 21-year-old smashed seven sixes in an unbeaten 54 off 27 balls, scoring 52 off the last 19 deliveries to claim a remarkable three-wicket win on the last ball. His fearless approach turned an almost certain defeat into one of the most memorable chases of the season.“My plan was to play till the end. I believe in myself so much that if I had stayed I could have taken the team home,” Mukul said after being named Man of the Match. “The pressure is there, but I’m focused on the opportunity, not the pressure.A journey shaped by faith and sacrificeMukul’s rise was anything but conventional. Hailing from Jhunjhunu, he started playing cricket only at the age of 12-13 due to limited resources. He trained at an academy in Sikar before moving to Jaipur and later honed his T20 skills in Gurugram to adapt to the fast-paced format.“My journey started even before I was born. My father had a dream that his son would play cricket,” he said. “If the ball gets in my space, I’m going to hit it. That’s how I’ve always played.”His aggressive mindset showed in the final over where he patiently waited for the right ball. “Even if the bowler bowled four perfect balls, I knew one would come in my zone,” he added.
