Mukul Choudhary (Image credit: BCCI/IPL) NEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants rising star Mukul Choudhary became an overnight sensation after scripting a stunning last-ball victory against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Thursday. Chasing 182, LSG were in big trouble at 128 for seven in the 16th over. With the game slipping away, the 21-year-old decided to take matters into his own hands.On a surface that KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane later described as “not easy to play big shots on”, Mukul unleashed a breathtaking attack and smashed seven sixes in a fearless show. Remarkably, this was only his third IPL game – and only his second under lights.“When Ayush bhai (Ayush Badoni) got out, I knew I had to take responsibility. I just wanted to finish the match, I didn’t think about winning or losing,” Mukul said after the match.Having grown up watching MS Dhoni finish games, Mukul lived his dream at Eden Gardens. The youngster from Rajasthan scored 30 runs in the last two overs to seal a memorable victory in a last-ball thriller.Born in Jhunjhunu, Mukul’s unbeaten 54 off 27 balls stood out not just for the power of his strokes but also for the composure he showed under pressure. He credited his captain Rishabh Pant for keeping him calm in a tense chase.
Watch
How Justin Langer’s faith helped Mukul Choudhary shine “Pant told me, ‘Why are you thinking so much? No. Just follow the process you’ve been working on.’ That helped,” he revealed, admitting at the same time that the situation was far from easy. “Even if someone is playing their 15th or 50th match, such a situation brings pressure. I try to focus on the opportunity, not the pressure.”Interestingly, ahead of the match, Mukul picked Heinrich Klaasen over several top wicketkeepers – including Quinton de Kock, Jose Buttler, KL Rahul, Jitesh Sharma, Sanju Samson and Prabhsimran Singh – in a rapid-fire podcast.But when asked to choose between Pant and Dhoni, the youngster smiled and admitted, “Phasa diya aapne… but MS Dhoni.”LSG will next face Gujarat Titans on April 12 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Vote
What aspect of Mukul impressed you the most?
