New Delhi, April 10: The Indian Premier League (IPL) serves as a remarkable platform for talented youth, offering them the chance to shine on a global stage overnight. Each season, numerous young players emerge through the IPL, captivating audiences with their extraordinary skills. On Thursday, during a match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Eden Gardens, 21-year-old Mukul Chaudhary delivered a dazzling performance.
Chasing a target of 182 runs, LSG found themselves in trouble at 104 runs for 5 wickets after just 12.5 overs. Mukul entered the game as the seventh batsman, with the team needing 78 runs from 43 balls. By the end of the 16th over, LSG had scored 128 runs with 7 wickets down. The team required 54 runs from the last 24 balls, with Mukul at the crease alongside Avesh Khan.
This was only Mukul’s second innings, and with the remaining batsmen being bowlers, the odds seemed against LSG. However, Mukul shifted gears and showcased his remarkable talent. After scoring just 2 runs from 6 balls, he made 11 runs in the 17th over, including a six and a four, keeping the strike.
With 43 runs needed from the last three overs, Mukul struck 13 runs off Kartik Tyagi in the 18th over, hitting two sixes and retaining the strike. In the 19th over, bowled by Cameron Green, Mukul scored 16 runs, including two sixes and a four.
Entering the final over, LSG needed 14 runs. Avesh Khan gave Mukul a single on the first ball. Mukul then hit a six off Vaibhav’s second and fifth balls. On the last ball, Mukul and Avesh ran a single, securing a memorable victory for the team. After starting with just 2 runs from 6 balls in the 16th over, Mukul blasted 7 sixes and a four off the next 21 balls, finishing with an unbeaten 54 runs from 27 balls, leading LSG to a 3-wicket win. This victory not only marked LSG’s success but also introduced another promising talent to Indian cricket.
Mukul’s courageous innings received praise from cricket legends. After the match, he shared his journey, revealing that becoming a cricketer was his father’s dream. “My journey began even before my father got married; he dreamed of having a son who would play cricket,” he said.
Mukul, who idolizes Mahendra Singh Dhoni, expressed his love for hitting sixes over ground shots. His batting style reflected Dhoni’s confidence and composure, culminating in a finish reminiscent of the legendary player. Mukul practices hitting 100-150 sixes daily, which has honed his power-hitting skills.
The right-handed batsman’s cricket career owes much to his father, Dalip Chaudhary, who left his job and took financial risks to support Mukul’s dream. His mother, Sunita, also played a crucial role, managing the household and focusing on her son’s training.
Mukul’s cricket journey has not been easy. He began as a medium-pace bowler for Sikkim, where facilities were lacking, but later shifted his focus to wicketkeeping and aggressive batting. He played matches in Delhi and Gurugram to refine his skills. In 2023, he debuted in first-class and T20 cricket for Rajasthan, followed by a List A debut in 2025.
In the 2025-26 season, he made a mark by scoring 617 runs in the CK Nayudu Trophy. His impressive performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy caught the attention of IPL franchises, leading to his acquisition by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹2.6 crore in the 2026 IPL auction.
Born on August 6, 2004, in Jhunjhunu, Mukul’s teammate Arjun Tendulkar recently remarked that he could become a major star in the coming days. Mukul proved his potential against KKR, fulfilling both his parents’ dreams and Arjun’s predictions. Fans will be keenly watching his performances in upcoming matches.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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