Mukul Choudhary shocks! Rajasthan youngster smashes unbeaten 54 to lead LSG to thrilling last-ball win over KKR
New Delhi: Mukul Choudhary, a 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, became the newest IPL sensation after guiding Lucknow Super Giants to a dramatic last-ball victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026.
Playing at Eden Gardens, Mukul Choudhary played a fearless innings of 54 not out from 27 balls and helped Lucknow Super Giants chase 182 runs in a tense finish. His calm performance under pressure helped LSG register a three-wicket victory and brought him into the national spotlight.
The match turned into one of the most exciting contests of IPL 2026 and introduced Mukul Choudhary as a new finisher to watch.
Table of contents
- Mukul Choudhary shocks! Rajasthan youngster smashes unbeaten 54 to lead LSG to thrilling last-ball win over KKR
- Match-winning knock against KKR
- About Mukul Choudhary
- Early life and background
- Domestic cricket career
- Breakthrough in domestic T20 cricket
- IPL 2026 auction: LSG picks Mukul
- How LSG discovered Mukul
- Inspiration from MS Dhoni
- Justin Langer’s Prediction
- IPL 2026 statistics
- Playing style
- Conclusion
Match-winning knock against KKR
The IPL 2026 clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders produced a thrilling finish as Lucknow chased a challenging total.
Match summary:
- Kolkata Knight Riders: 181/4 in 20 overs
- Lucknow Super Giants: 182/7 in 20 overs
- Result: Lucknow Super Giants won by three wickets
- Player of the Match: Mukul Choudhary
Lucknow Super Giants were under pressure at 104/5 when Mukul Choudhary came to the crease. The team still required 54 runs in the final overs.
Mukul played confidently and kept attacking the bowlers. He scored:
- 54 not out on 27 balls
- Multiple boundaries and sixes
- Strike rate above 200
He stayed till the end and finished the match on the last ball, helping Lucknow Super Giants complete a dramatic chase.
Another important contribution came from Ayush Badoni, who also scored 54 runs and supported the chase. Mukul and Badoni together helped Lucknow recover from a difficult position.
About Mukul Choudhary
Mukul Dalip Choudhary was born on 6 August 2004 in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. Since then, he has steadily risen in Indian domestic cricket. He plays as a right-handed wicketkeeper-batter for Rajasthan. Moreover, he continues to build his reputation with consistent performances.
Meanwhile, his career witnessed a major breakthrough when he was picked by Lucknow Super Giants for IPL 2026. Notably, the franchise secured him for ₹2.6 crore in the auction, and as a result, it brought him into the spotlight. Meanwhile, as an uncapped Indian player, this deal marked a significant turning point in his journey.
Furthermore, Lucknow Super Giants identified him as a reliable middle-order batter and a strong finishing option for the season, highlighting the team’s confidence in his abilities.
Also Read: SRH vs KKR Highlights: Sunrisers Hyderabad Beat Kolkata by 65 Runs After Posting 226
Early life and background
Mukul Choudhary grew up in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. The region does not have major cricket infrastructure compared to large cities, but Mukul developed interest in cricket at a young age.
He belongs to a middle-class family. His father, Dalip Kumar Choudhary, supported his cricket dreams and encouraged him to pursue the sport seriously.
Mukul started playing cricket on local grounds and participated in tennis-ball tournaments. He later travelled to nearby cities for better opportunities and continued training regularly. His family support helped him continue working toward professional cricket.
His journey from a small town in Rajasthan to IPL success has made his story inspiring for young cricketers.
Also Read: ‘Chanakya of Bengal Politics’ Mukul Roy Dies at 71 in Kolkata
Domestic cricket career
Mukul Choudhary started gaining recognition through domestic cricket performances.
He made his first-class debut:
- 17 January 2023
- Ranji Trophy 2022-23
- Rajasthan
He later made his List A debut:
- 24 December 2025
- Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26
These early appearances helped him gain experience at the professional level.
Breakthrough in domestic T20 cricket
Before IPL 2026, Mukul Choudhary impressed with strong performances in domestic T20 tournaments.
One of his notable innings included:
- 62 not out from 26 balls
- Last-ball win
- Match-winning performance
- He also played another aggressive innings:
- 54 runs from 28 balls against Mumbai
These performances showed his ability to finish matches under pressure and attracted attention from IPL scouts.
IPL 2026 auction: LSG picks Mukul
Mukul Choudhary became one of the surprise picks in the IPL 2026 auction.
Team: Lucknow Super Giants
Price: ₹2.6 crore
Category: Uncapped Indian player
Lucknow Super Giants selected him as a middle-order batter and finishing option. The decision later proved successful after his match-winning innings against Kolkata Knight Riders.
How LSG discovered Mukul
Reports suggest that Lucknow Super Giants noticed Mukul during training camps and domestic performances. The team’s analysts recommended him to head coach Justin Langer.
The coaching staff appreciated his:
- Power hitting
- Calm temperament
- Running between wickets
These qualities convinced the franchise to include him in the squad.
Inspiration from MS Dhoni
Mukul Choudhary has named MS Dhoni as his biggest inspiration. He wants to develop into a finisher like Dhoni and regularly practices death-over batting.
Reports suggest that Mukul practices hitting large numbers of sixes during training sessions to improve his finishing ability. This preparation helped him remain calm during the high-pressure match against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Justin Langer’s Prediction
Before the season began, Justin Langer praised Mukul Choudhary and said he could become a dangerous middle-order batter. After the match against Kolkata Knight Riders, the prediction appeared accurate as Mukul delivered a match-winning performance.
Cricket experts also praised his calm mindset and finishing ability.
Career statistics
First-class cricket:
- Matches: 3
- Runs: 51
- Average: 12.75
- Top score: 45
List A cricket:
- Matches: 1
- Runs: 5
- T20 career:
- Matches: 7
- Runs: 210
- Average: 42
- Half-centuries: 2
- Top score: 62 not out
- Catches: 2
These early numbers show a promising start to his career.
IPL 2026 statistics
- Matches: 1
- Runs: 54 not out
- Average: 54
- Strike rate: above 200
His debut performance became one of the standout moments of IPL 2026.
Playing style
Mukul Choudhary is known for:
- Aggressive batting
- Calm temperament
- Finishing ability
- Fast running between wickets
- Power hitting
He suits middle-order batting and finishing roles.
Conclusion
Mukul Choudhary’s journey from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan to IPL hero highlights hard work and determination. His unbeaten 54 against Kolkata Knight Riders helped Lucknow Super Giants complete a dramatic chase and made him one of IPL 2026’s biggest discoveries.
With strong domestic performances and impressive finishing ability, Mukul Choudhary has made a strong start to his IPL career and emerged as a rising star to watch.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
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