Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka shared a touching moment with the franchise’s latest batting revelation, Mukul Choudhary, after the youngster starred in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Goenka, a familiar presence in the stands and around the squad, was seen speaking at length with Mukul on the field following a crucial middle-order knock. Choudhary finished unbeaten on 54 off just 27 deliveries as LSG chased down KKR’s 181-run total in a tense contest at the famous Eden Gardens.
A clip from the match has been circulating online, capturing Goenka’s reaction as he applauded Mukul’s impact and celebrated the effort with the warmth of a proud father. The post-moment scenes reflected the emotion of a last-ball finish, with LSG sealing a nail-biting win over KKR. The footage also carried the caption “Pure joy on the field after that last-ball thriller victory over KKR!”
Mukul Choudhary opens up on his journey
After the game, Mukul spoke candidly about how he got into cricket. He said he began playing the sport when he was around 12 or 13, adding that his father had wanted him to become a cricketer even before Mukul was born. Reflecting on early struggles, he explained that money was tight at the start and that there were limited academy options in his hometown, before he later made a move to continue his development.
“Even before my dad got married, it was his dream that his son would play cricket. Financial condition was not very good at the start. I began playing at 12-13 years old. There were not a lot of academies in Jhunjhunu and then I moved to Jaipur,” Mukul said.
Adapting as T20 evolves
Mukul also described how he adjusted his approach as T20 cricket expanded and changed. He explained that, with the format growing rapidly, he chose to relocate to Gurgaon (now Gurugram) for a few months to keep sharpening his skills and staying aligned with the demands of modern T20 batting.
“I saw how much T20 cricket is growing, so I moved to Gurgaon (now Gurugram) and stayed there for 3-4 months,” he added.
Handling pressure as an opportunity
Asked about managing pressure in high-stakes situations, the young hitter said he does not treat pressure as a burden. Instead, he views it as a chance to execute his role and contribute to the team’s goal, emphasising his belief in staying at the crease until the decisive end of the chase.
“Pressure is always there, but God has given us this opportunity and I try to do what I can. I see it as an opportunity rather than taking pressure. My plan was to play till the end, and I believed that if I stayed till the end, I could make the team win,” Mukul said.
What he focused on in the final overs
In describing his mindset during the closing phase, Mukul explained that he trusted the process of finding a scoring ball in his preferred area. He said he believed that if he kept going and stayed prepared for the right delivery, he would be able to deliver the finishing blow with a boundary when it mattered most.
“I knew one ball would be in my area and I needed to hit just one six,” he said.
He also referenced his natural style as he talked about power-hitting. “I have always been hitting since I was young. If it is in my area, I smash it,” he added, explaining the instinct that has helped him go after the ball with confidence.
