Mukul Choudhary kept his composure during Lucknow Super Giants’ chase and that steady mindset paid off as LSG edged past Kolkata Knight Riders in a dramatic last-ball finish at Eden Gardens on Thursday. Chasing 182, Lucknow were squeezed in the closing overs, yet Choudhary stayed calm, struck with real intent when it mattered, and powered the side over the line with clean, fearless hitting—two maximums arriving in the final over among the decisive shots. His unbeaten 54 off 27 balls earned him Player of the Match.
Key takeaways
- Mukul Choudhary scored an unbeaten 54 off 27 balls to steer Lucknow Super Giants to a last-ball triumph over Kolkata Knight Riders.
- LSG chased a target of 182 at Eden Gardens in the 15th match of IPL 2026, with pressure building in the final phase.
- Choudhary struck crucial sixes in the closing stages, including two in the last over, to swing the contest in LSG’s favour.
- He said his main plan was to bat through to the end and treat the moment as an opportunity to make his mark.
- LSG captain Pant praised Choudhary’s net work and backed the importance of trust in player development.
- After this win, Lucknow are set to play Gujarat Titans at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday.
Choudhary’s calm plan in the chase
Explaining how he approached the run chase, Choudhary said his sole focus was to carry his innings as long as possible and then respond to the situation as it unfolded. He also noted that it was only his second appearance in the tournament, framing the pressure as part of the chance to establish himself at the top level. After the match, he added that while nerves can come with expectation, the same pressure can also become a platform to build a reputation.
Choudhary further shared his own development story and how cricket entered his life. He said his father held a dream even before his own family life had fully taken shape, believing that one day his son would play the sport. According to Choudhary, he began through age-group cricket, though he described a lack of strong academies in Sikkim at the time. To bridge that gap, he played matches in Delhi and Gurugram, and he believes those experiences helped sharpen his game.
He also recalled a key early moment that hinted at his future potential. During a youth match—an Under-19 contest against UP—he said the game turned out to be low-scoring, and he managed to make a meaningful contribution. In his telling, that performance helped his father recognise that bigger things could be ahead.
Attacking instincts and captain’s backing
Reflecting on his batting approach, Choudhary underlined that he is naturally inclined toward attack rather than simply playing the ball along the ground. He said that from earlier days he enjoyed hitting sixes, and he specifically described the satisfaction of finally connecting cleanly in a match after not finding the boundary during his previous two outings. He explained that his mindset involved anticipating a scoring opportunity—believing that one of the four balls would land in a favourable area—and then waiting for it to arrive.
LSG captain Pant offered high praise for the youngster, pointing to what he sees in practice as much as what he witnessed in the match. Pant said that in nets you can spot a player’s intent and rhythm, and that Choudhary’s execution in the game left him with no words to describe the quality of the effort. He also stressed that trust is essential—highlighting that captaincy and management decisions should include confidence in players who show readiness and character. Pant concluded that the team does not need to talk endlessly about progress because good things are already taking shape.
What’s next for Lucknow
With this result, Lucknow Super Giants registered their second win after overcoming Kolkata Knight Riders. Their next assignment is against the Gujarat Titans on Sunday at their home ground, Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.
