Chennai Super Kings pacer Mukesh Choudhary showed remarkable determination when he turned up for their clash against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, just days after the death of his mother.
MI vs CSK, IPL 2026: Update | Scorecard
Choudhary was named in the playing eleven for their first match of the season, with CSK confirming on social media that the team will wear black armbands in memory of his mother. “In her memory and in solidarity with Mukesh, we wear black armbands and play with a little more in our hearts today,” the X franchise said.
Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to bowl first, meaning Choudhary is expected to play the ball later in the innings. His presence on the field was a moving moment that underscored both personal strength and team solidarity during an emotionally challenging time.
According to Dainik Bhaskar reports, Mukesh’s mother, Prem Devi, died on Tuesday after being ill for almost a year. She was undergoing treatment at Tata Hospital in Mumbai. The left-arm pacer, who was with his team during the ongoing Indian Premier League, left for Bhilwara immediately after receiving the news.
He reportedly reached his maternal village on Tuesday evening and performed the last rites alongside his elder brother Dr Rajesh. Hailing from Pardodas village in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district, Mukesh comes from a long-established family in Maharashtra, where his father Gopal Choudhary runs a business.
In another show of support, MS Dhoni was reported to have stood by the family during this period. A family friend claimed that the former Indian captain not only boosted Mukesh’s morale but also visited the hospital to meet his mother.
Choudhary’s decision to return to action so soon after such a personal loss added a deeply emotional layer to the highly watched encounter, with CSK’s tribute reflecting the team’s unity.
MI vs CSK: Playing XI
Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI) – Sanju Samson (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Sarfaraz Khan, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh and Mukesh Choudhary.
Impact possibilities for CSK – Prashant Veer, Matthew Short, Matt Henry, Akeal Hosein and Urvil Patel.
Mumbai Indians (Unchanged Playing XI) – Quinton de Kock (WK), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (C), Tilak Varma, Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell Santner, Jasprit Bumrah, Krish Bhagat, AM Ghazanfar and Ashwani Kumar.
Impact options for MI – Will Jacks, Raj Bawa, Shardul Thakur, Danish Malewar and Mayank Rawat.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
23 Apr 2026 20:17 IST
