Mukesh Choudhary (Image credit: BCCI/IPL) NEW DELHI: When Mukesh Choudhary rattled Quinton de Kock’s stumps, there was no cheering, no pumped-up reaction, no jumping in the air. There were no visible celebrations or loud gestures. Instead, he remained standing in the middle of the ground, looked at the sky, pointed his finger upwards and said softly, ‘Maa, ye tere liye hai’.It was a quiet tribute from a son who played with deep personal pain after performing his mother’s last rites in Bhilwara, Rajasthan and returning to his team duties the very next day. Mukesh’s mother died on Tuesday after a long battle with the disease. Despite the personal loss, Mukesh rejoined the CSK squad ahead of the Mumbai Indians clash and was included in the playing XI, making the commitment above all else. He not only returned to the team environment, but also found himself in the Playing Eleven.Known for his calm and composed demeanor, Mukesh remained as quiet as ever. Dressed in yellow, he walked out into the middle as he had done in previous matches and showed no outward signs of sadness. Ready to launch the attack with the new ball, he charged with equal intensity and struck in his very first over, taking the wicket and dedicating it, in his own way, to his mother – who he believed was watching him from heaven and blessing him. Every step Mukesh took at the Wankhede carried weight – emotions, memories and sorrow. There was pain behind every run, but the pacer knew his team needed him. He came back with a strong heart, kept his emotions close and gave his all in a performance defined by both courage and cricket.“I would dedicate this win to him”Chennai Super Kings cruised to an impressive 103-run victory over Mumbai Indians in front of a roaring Wankhede Stadium. Mumbai Indians put into bat, CSK, powered by Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 101 off 54 balls, posted 207-6.CSK spinner Akeal Hosein then produced a brilliant spell of 4-17 to bundle out Mumbai Indians, the five-time IPL champions, for 104 in 19 overs. The 104 all-out remains MI’s lowest total against CSK in IPL history and bettered their 136/8 in Dubai in 2021. It also marked MI’s heaviest defeat at the Wankhede in terms of runs, eclipsing the 39 defeat against RCB in 2015 while also becoming CSK’s biggest IPL profit margin by runs.CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad came up to Mukesh after the win, hugged him as he looked emotional, exchanged a few words and then headed for the post-match presentation. “(On Mukesh) Pretty tough on him. Hats off to him, it takes a lot mentally to come into that situation. He came back for the team, for the franchise, because he knew we needed him. All credit goes to him. We all wanted to be there for him and we chipped in for him,” Gaikwad said during the presentation.
