Lucknow Super Giants enjoyed a night to remember in IPL 2026 as 21-year-old Mukul Choudhary delivered a destructive unbeaten innings to steer the side to victory over Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday. Chasing a target, LSG were left to navigate pressure at various stages, but Choudhary stayed composed and finished it off without being dismissed.
Quick facts
- Mukul Choudhary scored an unbeaten 54 off 27 balls for Lucknow Super Giants against Kolkata Knight Riders.
- His innings included 2 fours and 7 sixes.
- He hit at least one six in each of the last five overs of the chase.
- Former India spinner R Ashwin praised the knock on social media.
- LSG head coach Justin Langer called Choudhary a “great athlete” with a “sharp brain” and compared his running between the wickets to Virat Kohli.
Choudhary’s 54 came off just 27 deliveries and completely changed the tempo of the chase. The right-handed batter punished the KKR attack consistently, striking 7 maximums and adding two boundaries along the way, with his finishing power particularly evident in the closing overs.
One of the key storylines was his late surge: Choudhary smashed at least one six in each of the final five overs. Even when the chase threatened to tighten, he kept finding ways to clear the ropes and turned the momentum decisively in LSG’s favour.
Ashwin lauds the youngster
R Ashwin, a former India spinner, took to social media to celebrate the innings. In his post, he highlighted that players of this kind of promise and temperament help India maintain dominance in the T20 format on the global stage.
Ashwin’s message also pointed to the broader IPL ecosystem, suggesting that young talent is quickly emerging and learning at a high level. He specifically praised the composure Choudhary showed during the closing stages and framed it as a defining feature of how the T20 game is evolving in India.
Langer’s Kohli comparison
LSG head coach Justin Langer added further detail about why he believes Choudhary’s game is special. Langer described the youngster as a “great athlete” with a “sharp brain,” and he compared Choudhary’s instincts and elite running between the wickets to Virat Kohli.
Speaking about the process behind the innings, Langer said the team had put in practice sessions and that Choudhary’s preparation showed up during match conditions. He noted that Choudhary spoke about the game with the confidence of someone who has played hundreds of matches, and he credited work on handling the short ball as a key improvement.
Langer also explained that daily drills were part of the plan and that those efforts translated directly into the performance seen on the night. With an innings of 54 not out—powered by seven sixes and two fours—Choudhary’s breakthrough continued to gain momentum as LSG completed a memorable win over KKR.
