It was an emotional evening at Eden Gardens as Lucknow Super Giants pulled off a gripping, last-ball victory over Kolkata Knight Riders. Yet the moment that truly resonated came after the final delivery—when LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka wrapped youngster Mukul Choudhary in a hug that quickly went viral, underlining just how much that chase meant to the franchise.
Mukul Choudhary’s finishing burst changes the game
Lucknow needed something special chasing 182, and the script swung dramatically when Mukul took control. Even with Ayush Badoni’s impressive 54 lifting the chase, LSG were stuck at 128/7 in the 16th over, leaving the equation perilously close to slipping away.
From there, Mukul responded with a fearless counterattack. He struck seven sixes and remained unbeaten on 54 off only 27 balls. Having played just his third IPL match, the 21-year-old looked unfazed by the pressure and delivered heavily in the closing phase—scoring 52 runs from his last 19 balls to push the contest right down to the wire.
How Lucknow got over the line
With the match on a knife-edge, LSG required one run off the final ball. In the scramble, they managed to secure the finish through a bye, sealing a three-wicket win. The chase carried a clear message: even when the innings is under threat, composure and timing can still flip the outcome.
What Mukul said after the innings
- Mukul described pressure as part of the game, saying that God had given him the opportunity and he tried to do what he could.
- He explained his approach was to keep going “till the end,” adding that he believed staying in could help bring the team home.
Goenka’s embrace becomes the viral highlight
After the teams completed their walk off, Goenka stepped onto the field and greeted Mukul with a heartfelt embrace. The owner was clearly moved, congratulating the youngster and even cupping his face—an intimate gesture that matched the significance of the innings. The images of that exchange spread rapidly across social media, with fans praising the bond between the franchise and its young talent.
For supporters, it wasn’t just another win in the season—it was a moment of recognition and encouragement early in a player’s IPL journey.
KKR’s chase setup and Mukul’s late rescue
Kolkata had set a demanding target by posting 181/4. Rovman Powell finished unbeaten on 39, while Cameron Green also remained not out on 32, adding valuable momentum in the late stages. Ajinkya Rahane contributed 41, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi struck 45 to provide solidity through the middle overs.
Despite those contributions, KKR failed to hold their advantage when Mukul accelerated. Vaibhav Arora delivered early breakthroughs for Kolkata, but the late assault from the Lucknow batter ensured the result swung the other way.
Ultimately, while the win lifted Lucknow’s campaign, the lasting talking point was the emotional post-match moment—proof that at IPL level, the story is often written not only on the scoreboard, but also in the celebrations that follow.
