New Delhi (India) April 10:Mukul Choudhary truly stole the spotlight for the Lucknow Super Giants in a thrilling match against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. Coming to the crease with his team struggling in the 13th over, Mukul stepped in where the game seemed to be slipping away from the visitors. What unfolded next was nothing short of remarkable.

Unbeaten 54 Off 27, Hit 7 Sixes

With the scoreboard reading 128 for 7 in the 16th over and just 54 runs needed for victory, the pressure was on. Star players like Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, and Ayush Badoni had already departed, leaving LSG in a precarious position. But Mukul was not about to back down. He launched a stunning counterattack, finishing with an unbeaten 54 runs off just 27 balls. His explosive innings included seven massive sixes, leading Lucknow to a nail-biting victory off the last ball, triumphing by three wickets.
In the tense final over, Vaibhav Arora had the challenge of defending 13 runs. Though he delivered some clever wide yorkers, he ultimately could not stop Mukul. 

Dedicates Win to Dad

When Mukul was awarded the Player of the Match, he reflected on his father’s unwavering support for his cricketing dreams. This match was particularly special for him, as it marked only his second outing under the lights, and he expressed his joy at helping the team secure a victory in such a thrilling manner.
“My journey started when my father was not even married, his dream was his son has to play cricket. I started at the age group level but there were not good academies. I played matches in Delhi and Guragaon and that helped me. When I was playing against U19 versus UP, it was a low scoring game and I made a contribution, so he knew then that I would make it big. It was only my second match under lights. God has given me this opportunity, there can be pressure but it is also an opportunity to make a name for myself,” Mukul said.

INR 2.6 Cr Auction Purchase

Lucknow Super Giants acquired Mukul for an impressive INR 2.6 crore during the IPL auction, beating out competition from franchises like the Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. His base price was INR 30 lakhs, meaning his value almost multiplied ninefold. Mukul’s standout performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy played a significant role in his high price tag; he scored 173 runs in five innings, boasting a remarkable strike rate of 198.85.

From Pacer to Keeper-Batter

Originally a medium pacer, Mukul made a swift transition to wicketkeeping, where he became known for his aggressive batting style. He made his first-class debut against Chhattisgarh in January 2023, scoring 103 runs across four matches with a top score of 45. He also debuted in T20 cricket against Jharkhand in October 2023, scoring 35 runs as an opener. To date, he has amassed 226 runs in 7 T20 games, averaging 37.66, with a highest score of 62 not out.