Mukul Choudhary’s 27-Ball 57 Secures Thrilling Win for LSG Against KKR

NEW DELHI: Operating with precision in the final over, 21-year-old Mukul Choudhary guided the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to a dramatic victory against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. The Rajasthan native scored an unbeaten 57 runs from 27 deliveries, hitting seven sixes to close out the match against KKR fast bowler Vaibhav Arora.

Match Performance Data

Red-Soil Preparation and Training Regimen

Choudhary’s success in the Indian Premier League is the direct result of targeted training methods. Originally practicing on black soil pitches in Sikar, Jhunjhunu, he recognized the need to adapt to the red-soil surfaces common in venues across Mumbai, Chennai, and Karnataka to compete at the professional level.

Under the instruction of Under-23 batting coach Chandrapal Singh, Choudhary commuted 500 kilometers up to three times a week. He traveled overnight by bus to access optimal red-soil pitches in Udaipur and Nathdwara.

“He accepted the challenge despite all the travel,” Singh stated. “He once hit 36 sixes in a local T20 match. I knew he would play a big knock, but I didn’t expect him to set things on fire the way he did.”

Domestic Success and Auction Acquisition

Before his breakthrough performance at Eden Gardens, Choudhary established a formidable record in domestic cricket. During the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 season, he compiled 173 runs across five innings.

• Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Strike Rate: 198.85
• IPL 2026 Auction Price: Rs 2.60 crore
• Daily Practice Volume: 100 to 150 sixes per day

This high-impact batting profile attracted the Lucknow Super Giants front office, resulting in his multi-crore acquisition at the auction.

Influence of MS Dhoni and Finisher Mindset

Choudhary executed a helicopter shot during his seven-six barrage against KKR, drawing a strong reaction from the Eden Gardens crowd and visible relief from LSG captain Rishabh Pant.

“I always look up to MS Dhoni because I am also a finisher,” Choudhary explained in his post-match interview. “His helicopter shot is my favorite. The way he led India in the 2011 World Cup, everybody remembers it. I want to finish off matches and help my team win.”

His power-hitting mechanics rely heavily on daily repetition, as noted by his coach, who compared his physical strength and mindset to veteran T20 specialists like Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard.

Lucknow Super Giants Upcoming Schedule

Following this victory, LSG will proceed through a congested middle phase of the tournament before Choudhary gets the opportunity to face his idol’s franchise on May 10.