Eden Gardens Silenced: The Mukul Choudhary Storm
In a night that will be etched into IPL folklore, 21-year-old Mukul Choudhary transformed from a promising youngster into a national sensation. Coming in at a precarious 128/7 with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) needing 54 runs off just 24 balls in one of the toughest IPL run chases, Choudhary played an innings of pure, unadulterated carnage. His unbeaten 54 off 27 deliveries*, laced with seven monstrous sixes, powered LSG to a 3-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on the very last ball.
How the Heist Unfolded
The match seemed to be firmly in KKR’s pocket after they posted a competitive 181/4, courtesy of solid knocks from Angkrish Raghuvanshi (45) and skipper Ajinkya Rahane (41). Despite a masterclass spell from Sunil Narine (1/13), KKR’s death bowling crumbled under the weight of Choudhary’s fearlessness.
The 19th over proved to be the turning point. Facing the world’s most expensive player, Cameron Green, Choudhary dismantled the Australian for three sixes in an over that yielded 22 runs. Needing 14 off the final six balls, he faced Vaibhav Arora. After a tense start, Choudhary sent a high-pressure delivery sailing over sweeper cover to level the scores, before scampering for a leg-bye on the final delivery to complete the miracle.
Who is Mukul Choudhary? The New Finisher in Town
Born on August 6, 2004, in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district, 21-year-old Mukul Choudhary, one of the rising uncapped stars of IPL 2026, has a journey that is a classic tale of grit.
- Domestic Roots: He represents Rajasthan in domestic cricket and first caught the eye during the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he struck at nearly 200.
- The Price Tag: His explosive potential sparked a bidding war between Mumbai Indians and LSG, with Lucknow eventually securing him for ₹2.60 crore.
- Wicketkeeping “Accident”: Primarily an aggressive batter, he took up wicketkeeping only because his academy team lacked one—a “happy accident” that has made him an invaluable asset to the LSG middle order.
- The Dhoni Connection: Growing up idolizing MS Dhoni, Choudhary’s calm demeanor under pressure at Eden Gardens was reminiscent of the legendary finisher himself.
Result: Lucknow Super Giants won by 3 wickets (Last ball finish).
Match 15: Quick Scorecard
| Team | Score | Top Performer |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 181/4 (20) | A. Raghuvanshi: 45 (33) |
| Lucknow Super Giants | 182/7 (20) | M. Choudhary: 54* (27) |
Match Awards & Stats
| Award | Winner | Stats |
| Player of the Match | Mukul Choudhary (LSG) | 54* (27) |
| Super Striker | Mukul Choudhary (LSG) | SR: 200.00 |
| Green Dot Ball | Sunil Narine (KKR) | 1/13 (14 dots) |
| Most Sixes | Mukul Choudhary (LSG) | 7 Sixes |
Points Table Impact
With this win, LSG climbs to 5th place with 4 points from 3 matches. Meanwhile, KKR slumps to 9th, having secured only 1 point from 4 games a disastrous start for the two-time champions.
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