Mukul Choudhary: From struggle to stardom, Dhoni-inspired finisher making waves in IPL

Mukul Choudhary emerged as the hero as Lucknow Super Giants defeated Kolkata Knight Riders on the last ball in a thrilling IPL 2026 match at Eden Gardens.

Post Published By: Sona Saini

Updated : 10 April 2026, 11:57 AM IST

Mukul Chaudhary Stars as LSG Win Last-Ball Thriller Against KKR

Kolkata: In the IPL 2026 match played at Eden Gardens, Lucknow Super Giants defeated Kolkata Knight Riders on the last ball to register a thrilling victory. The hero of the match was 21-year-old batsman Mukul Choudhary, who played a match-winning unbeaten 54 runs and led the team to victory under pressure.

Steading innings in difficult circumstances

Chasing a target of 182, Lucknow got off to a poor start, slumping from 104/5 to 128/7. Key batsmen like Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, and Ayush Badoni had all returned to the pavilion. Mukul Choudhary steadied the innings and batted with composure during this crucial time.

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Fast half-century and aggressive approach

Mukul initially played cautiously to stabilize the innings and then adopted an aggressive approach. He reached his half-century in just 25 balls, hitting 7 sixes and 2 fours in 27 balls. One of his brilliant shots reminded the crowd of former Indian captain MS Dhoni's helicopter shot.

Excitement in Last Over

Lucknow needed 14 runs in the final over. Mukul kept hopes alive by hitting a six, but the pressure increased after two dot balls. A run was needed off the final ball. Although the shot missed, he ran quickly and completed the leg-bye, giving the team a memorable victory.

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Player Made Through Struggle

Mukul Choudhary's journey has been full of struggles. Hailing from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, Mukul's father, Dalip Kumar Choudhary, worked as a teacher and helped his son fulfill his cricketing dreams. The family relocated to Jaipur for better training and sent him to the SBS Cricket Academy in Sikar.

All-Round Growth and Selection

Mukul started as a medium-pacer but later adopted wicketkeeping and finishing roles. He performed brilliantly in domestic cricket, scoring 617 runs in the Under-23 state tournament and 173 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Based on these performances, Lucknow bought him for ₹2.6 crore in IPL 2026.