How Mukul did it
Mukul Choudhary produced a match‑turning, 54‑not‑out off 27 balls for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens, all but winning the game on his own in a last‑ball thriller. Chasing 182, LSG were struggling at 128/7 in 16 overs, with only 54 more needed but no senior batters in the middle. Choudhary, the 21‑year‑old uncapped all‑rounder, counter‑attacked with seven towering sixes and two fours, taking the bulk of the required runs and finishing the chase under immense pressure.
“Even before I was born” – personal meaning
In the interview mentioned in the Times of India piece, Choudhary says his “journey started even before I was born”, alluding to the fact that his family and community had long envisioned him playing at the top level, and this match was a payoff to years of collective effort. He has spoken about how people back home supported him through financial and social hardships, and views performances like this one as a tribute to that support system rather than a purely individual achievement.
From fringe name to overnight star
Before this innings, Mukul was primarily known as a lower‑order hitter and a backup wicketkeeper, picked by LSG for ₹2.6 crore in the 2026 mini‑auction. His blitz—featuring a sequence of sixes in the final overs, including a six off Cameron Green in the penultimate over—reduced the equation from 43 off 18 balls to a manageable 14 off 6, which he then completed with a six in the last over.
Why it has grabbed attention
The knock has gone viral because it exemplifies the IPL’s magic: a 21‑year‑old, uncapped, out‑of‑the‑blue finisher almost single‑handedly reversing a probable KKR win into an LSG victory. Coaches and commentators such as Justin Langer have already flagged him as a future star, saying he has the temperament and power‑hitting profile to handle even bigger roles in the middle order. For Lucknow fans, Mukul is now the “hero” of their 2026 season so far, with many calling him their “most brutal weapon” in the death‑overs mix.
