NEW DELHI: Mukul Choudhary announced his IPL credentials with a breathtaking knock that turned the tide for Lucknow Super Giants at Eden Gardens, where a packed crowd witnessed a remarkable escape. The 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batter finished unbeaten on 54 from just 27 balls, striking seven sixes and two fours against KKR to deliver a nail-biting three-wicket triumph on Thursday. The innings not only marked LSG’s second win of the campaign but also thrust Choudhary into the spotlight right away.
Key takeaways
- Mukul Choudhary struck an unbeaten 54 off 27 balls to guide Lucknow Super Giants to a three-wicket win over KKR.
- His innings featured seven maximums and two fours, helping LSG chase the target successfully despite early pressure.
- LSG head coach Justin Langer praised Choudhary as a “great athlete” with a “sharp brain”.
- Langer said team work in practice—especially drills focused on the short ball—paid off during the match.
- The coach revealed an earlier scouting moment where their data analyst pushed for Choudhary’s inclusion.
- Langer believes winning tight contests early works like a “magic tonic” for team confidence and momentum.
Langer’s praise for Choudhary
Justin Langer lauded Choudhary’s temperament and preparation, highlighting how quickly the youngster has adapted to the demands of top-level cricket. He described the wicketkeeper-batter’s game awareness as being far beyond his age, saying that even in practice and team conversations, Choudhary spoke about match situations with the clarity of someone who has played extensively.
Langer also went a step further by drawing a comparison to Virat Kohli, noting that Choudhary’s running between the wickets resembles the intensity and urgency Kohli is known for. In the same breath, the coach pointed to Choudhary’s curiosity and drive to improve, adding that the youngster returned after working on specific areas—particularly the short ball—to make an impact when it mattered most.
“We have had some practice games, and the way he talks about the game is like he has been playing 300 matches. So, he has got some power, he is a great athlete, and he has got a sharp brain. He has a very curious mind and wants to get better. He went away and worked on the short ball. We have been doing drills with him every day, and then it came out in practice and in the game,” Langer said.
How Choudhary was identified
Langer further explained that bringing Choudhary into the fold was not just about raw talent, but also about the right recommendations backed by data and close observation. He credited their analyst Shrinivas Chandrashekaran for spotting Choudhary during a training camp held a few months earlier, when the team saw the potential to integrate him into the squad.
“We saw him at a training camp a few months ago. There is so much talent in this country. A real big shout-out goes to Shrinivas, our data analyst, who said, ‘Coach, we have got to get this kid.’”
What Langer was thinking during the chase
Asked about his mindset when Lucknow needed 54 runs from the final 24 deliveries, Langer said his focus was on the team’s execution—particularly the bowling and fielding. He indicated that he felt the side had delivered strongly on the wicket and that the performance in the field matched the level required for a successful finish.
He also explained that, beyond the match plan, the bigger message to his players was about responsibility under pressure. Langer expressed satisfaction at seeing a 22-year-old take charge during the closing stages, calling it a genuine display of effort and composure.
“I was probably thinking about what I was going to say to our players. I thought we bowled brilliantly on this wicket; we were outstanding. I actually jotted that down, and regardless of whether we win or lose, our bowling was excellent, and our fielding was elite as well. So, I was really pleased with that, but we also talked about taking responsibility, and we saw a 22-year-old kid taking responsibility; what an effort it was.”
Tight wins as a “magic tonic”
Looking at the bigger picture for the season, Langer believes a win of this nature provides a psychological lift that can strengthen the group’s belief going forward. He suggested that close victories—whether they come through batting or bowling—act as momentum builders early in the tournament, and can help a team unlock further upside as the campaign progresses.
“If you win the close ones, you get that little bit of belief, don’t you? It doesn’t matter whether you do it with the ball or with the bat, these tight wins are like a magic tonic. So, hopefully, it is a bit of a confidence booster that we like at the start of the season, and we have got a lot of upside left in our game as well.”
