NEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants’ stunning last-ball win over Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026 had a new hero, as young Mukul Choudhary announced himself on the big stage with a fearless match-winning knock. Chasing 182, LSG looked down and out at one stage, but Choudhary’s explosive unbeaten 54 off 27 balls turned the game on its head.Reflecting on his journey after the game, the Player of the Match said, “My journey actually started even before I was born. My father had a dream that one day his son would play cricket. But back then, our financial condition wasn’t strong, so I couldn’t start early.”
He added, “I began playing at around 12-13 years of age. There weren’t many academies at that time. One academy, SBC Cricket Academy, had just opened, and I trained there for about 5–6 years.”Choudhary’s rise hasn’t been easy, moving cities in search of better opportunities. “After that, I moved to Jaipur because if you want to play at a higher level, you have to move forward. I’ve been practicing in Jaipur for the last four years,” he said, before explaining how match exposure helped him grow. “I stayed in Gurugram for 3-4 months and played matches in Delhi, which helped me a lot in adapting to faster-paced cricket.”Despite the pressure of a tense chase, his mindset remained simple. “There is pressure, sir. But I think that God has given me this opportunity, so I just believe in my ability. This is a chance where you can become something big or make a name for yourself.”His approach during the chase was clear: “My plan was simple – I wanted to stay till the end. I trust myself that if I remain not out till the last, I can win the game.”Choudhary waited patiently for his moment. “My thinking was that even if the bowler delivers four perfect balls, at least one will come into my zone. I just need one ball to hit a six.”And when it came, he didn’t miss. “The first one. I hadn’t hit a six in the previous two matches, so that first six was special for me.”Summing up his fearless style, he said, “Since childhood, I’ve always played attacking cricket. I’ve always been someone who hits.”In the end, Choudhary remained grounded: “Yes sir… but they serve the country at the borders. I’m just doing my part here.”
