Lucknow Super Giants pulled off a dramatic three-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL 2026 clash in Kolkata on April 9, thanks to a sensational unbeaten 54 from 21-year-old Mukul Choudhary.

 

Chasing a challenging target of 182, LSG looked in deep trouble at 128 for 7 after 16 overs. With the required rate climbing and wickets falling at regular intervals, the game seemed to be slipping away. That was when Choudhary stepped in and turned the contest on its head with a fearless and explosive innings.

 

Coming in under pressure, the youngster showed no signs of nerves. He attacked from the outset, finishing with 54 not out off just 27 balls, an innings consisting of two fours and seven sixes. His ability to clear the boundary consistently shifted momentum back in LSG’s favour at a crucial stage.

 

He began his assault against Vaibhav Arora in the 17th over, smashing two sixes to keep the chase alive. The following over saw more fireworks as he took on Kartik Tyagi, adding two more sixes and further denting KKR’s hopes. By then, the equation had started to tilt.

 

Choudhary then took control of the final phase. Facing Cameron Green in the 19th over, he struck a four and two sixes, bringing the target within reach. In the final over, he once again targeted Vaibhav Arora, hitting two sixes to bring up a memorable half-century and seal a remarkable win for his side.

 

His innings came after a solid foundation laid by Ayush Badoni, who scored a composed 54 off 34 balls. Badoni kept LSG in the hunt through the middle overs, but his dismissal shifted the momentum towards KKR. At that point, LSG’s chances looked slim, but Choudhary’s late blitz ensured the two points went their way.

 

The knock not only secured victory but also announced the arrival of a new finisher in the league. For a player at the start of his career, this innings could well prove to be a defining moment.

Who is Mukul Choudhary? 

Choudhary’s journey to this stage has been anything but straightforward. A domestic cricketer from Rajasthan, he was picked up for Rs 2.6 crore in the IPL 2026 auction after a bidding war between LSG and Rajasthan Royals. His reputation as a hard-hitting middle-order batter, especially in the death overs, made him a sought-after prospect.

 

Interestingly, he began his career as a medium pacer before transitioning into a wicketkeeper-batter. His aggressive approach with the bat soon became his defining trait.

 

Despite limited experience, his numbers have been impressive. In just seven T20 matches, he has scored 210 runs at an average of 42 and a strike rate of 165, highlighting his ability to score quickly. His breakout came during the 2025 domestic season, where he dominated the Men’s U-23 State A Trophy, scoring over 600 runs.

 

He carried that form into the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he amassed 617 runs at an average of 103, including consecutive centuries. His strike rate of 142 and 34 sixes in the tournament caught the attention of scouts and franchises alike.

 

In the 2025-26 SMAT season, he continued to impress, scoring 173 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 199. His six-hitting ability even drew praise from LSG head coach Justin Langer, who reportedly described him as a potential “scary” finisher for India in the near future.

 

While his List A numbers are modest, his T20 exploits have now pushed him firmly into the spotlight. Thursday’s knock against KKR only strengthens that narrative.

 

For LSG, this win will be remembered for its dramatic finish. For Mukul Choudhary, it might just be the beginning of something special.