Mukul Choudhary came out of nowhere to stun Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on an IPL 2026 thriller on Thursday (Apr 9) on the last ball. The batter hit 27-ball 54 not out, including 52 off last 19 balls, hitting seven sixes in his sparkling innings. The 21-year-old was playing just his third IPL match but took the stage as a duck to water, feeling no pressure at all. In the post-match press conference, Mukul revealed how we was able to play such a fearless innings at the biggest of stage and the answer was most basic thing of all time - practice.<h2>Mukul reveals how he managed to play sensational innings for LSG vs KKR</h2>"My body is a little powerful, and that has come to me naturally," he said of his six-hitting ability at the post-match press conference. "I also practise hitting 100-150 sixes every day, so the bat speed develops if you keep doing it. I have been practicing a lot for the last five to six months, so it has come into my game," he added.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-used-to-finishing-off-games-lsg-coach-langer-compares-mukul-to-tim-david-and-andre-russell-1775796407229">LSG coach Langer compares Mukul to Tim David and Andre Russell</a>Among the seven sixes Mukul hit, one was a helicopter shot right out of MS Dhoni's playbook. Mukul, who takes inspiration from Dhoni, said: "I have practised that shot (helicopter six) since childhood," Choudhary said while referring to six hit off Vaibhav Arora in the 17th over. "I always liked that, and the way Dhoni finished [an innings]. He used to hit a six even off a yorker. If you even hit that kind of a delivery for six, the bowler thinks about doing something different."<h2>Mukul Choudhary IPL price</h2>The batter from Rajasthan made an impact in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) - domestic T20 tournament - as she scored 173 runs at an average of 57.66 and a strike rate of 198.85. In the tournament, he also hit 62 not out off 26 balls against Delhi in one of the innings, which prompted IPL teams to bid for him in the auction held in December 2025 right after SMAT. Despite being an uncapped player, LSG shelled out INR 2.6 crore for Mukul and he repaid the trust shown in him with a win which could eventually be the difference between exiting the tournament or advancing to playoffs.

The 21-year-old was playing just his third IPL match but took the stage as a duck to water, feeling no pressure at all. In the post-match press conference, Mukul revealed how we was able to play such a fearless innings at the biggest of stage and the answer was - practice.

Mukul Choudhary came out of nowhere to stun Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on an IPL 2026 thriller on Thursday (Apr 9) on the last ball. The batter hit 27-ball 54 not out, including 52 off last 19 balls, hitting seven sixes in his sparkling innings. The 21-year-old was playing just his third IPL match but took the stage as a duck to water, feeling no pressure at all. In the post-match press conference, Mukul revealed how we was able to play such a fearless innings at the biggest of stage and the answer was most basic thing of all time - practice. Mukul reveals how he managed to play sensational innings for LSG vs KKR "My body is a little powerful, and that has come to me naturally," he said of his six-hitting ability at the post-match press conference. "I also practise hitting 100-150 sixes every day, so the bat speed develops if you keep doing it. I have been practicing a lot for the last five to six months, so it has come into my game," he added. Also Read - LSG coach Langer compares Mukul to Tim David and Andre Russell Among the seven sixes Mukul hit, one was a helicopter shot right out of MS Dhoni's playbook. Mukul, who takes inspiration from Dhoni, said: "I have practised that shot (helicopter six) since childhood," Choudhary said while referring to six hit off Vaibhav Arora in the 17th over. "I always liked that, and the way Dhoni finished [an innings]. He used to hit a six even off a yorker. If you even hit that kind of a delivery for six, the bowler thinks about doing something different." Mukul Choudhary IPL price The batter from Rajasthan made an impact in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) - domestic T20 tournament - as she scored 173 runs at an average of 57.66 and a strike rate of 198.85. In the tournament, he also hit 62 not out off 26 balls against Delhi in one of the innings, which prompted IPL teams to bid for him in the auction held in December 2025 right after SMAT. Despite being an uncapped player, LSG shelled out INR 2.6 crore for Mukul and he repaid the trust shown in him with a win which could eventually be the difference between exiting the tournament or advancing to playoffs.

The 21-year-old was playing just his third IPL match but took the stage as a duck to water, feeling no pressure at all. In the post-match press conference, Mukul revealed how we was able to play such a fearless innings at the biggest of stage and the answer was - practice.

IPL 2026 | 'Bat speed develops': LSG's INR 2.6 crore buy Mukul Choudhary reveals how he scored 54 not out off 27 vs KKR

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were done and dusted in the IPL 2026 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) when youngster Mukul Choudhary, playing only his third IPL match, changed the outcome. The batter was 2 off 8 balls when he decided to take matters seriously and went on to score 52 off next 19 balls to take his team home in the last-ball thriller by three wickets. LSG chased down 182-run target only because of him and coach Justin Langer was nothing but ecstatic about the batter. Langer even went on to compare Choudhary to Tim David and Andre Russell, calling the match-winning knock a "massive moment" in batter's career.<h2>Langer almost compares Mukul Choudhary to Tim David and Andre Russell</h2>"The thing about him is there's very few players like the Tim Davids, the Andre Russells - and I'm not even going to say it, I'm not even going to compare it - but that's how he's lived his career," Langer said after the game. "And he's got used to finishing off games like that, so he has to think about it, and he's only 22 (21) years old."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-gujarat-titans-captain-shubman-gill-fined-inr-12-lakh-for-slow-over-rate-in-thriller-vs-delhi-capitals-1775735757327">IPL 2026: Shubman Gill fined INR 12 lakh for slow over-rate in thriller vs Delhi</a>"We've been doing drills every day with him, and then it came out in practice today, so he's got a very curious mind, he wants to get better, and like I say, after you work hard at something and you take it out to the middle… We've seen plenty of that for the last four weeks or so since he's been with us."<h2>How Mukul changed script for LSG</h2>LSG were going decently in the chase when things unraveled quickly and LSG came down to 128/7 from 73/2 despite Badoni's 34-ball 54. Youngster Choudhary took the charge then, he smashed 11 runs 17th over (Vaibhav Arora), 13 runs in 18th over (Kartik Tyagi), 16 runs in 19th over (Cam Green), and 13 of 14 runs needed in the last over by Vaibhav Arora to take his team home.

The batter was 2 off 8 balls when he decided to take matters seriously and went on to score 52 off next 19 balls to take his team home in the last-ball thriller by three wickets. LSG chased down 182-run target only because of him and coach Justin Langer was nothing but ecstatic about him.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were done and dusted in the IPL 2026 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) when youngster Mukul Choudhary, playing only his third IPL match, changed the outcome. The batter was 2 off 8 balls when he decided to take matters seriously and went on to score 52 off next 19 balls to take his team home in the last-ball thriller by three wickets. LSG chased down 182-run target only because of him and coach Justin Langer was nothing but ecstatic about the batter. Langer even went on to compare Choudhary to Tim David and Andre Russell, calling the match-winning knock a "massive moment" in batter's career. Langer almost compares Mukul Choudhary to Tim David and Andre Russell "The thing about him is there's very few players like the Tim Davids, the Andre Russells - and I'm not even going to say it, I'm not even going to compare it - but that's how he's lived his career," Langer said after the game. "And he's got used to finishing off games like that, so he has to think about it, and he's only 22 (21) years old." Also Read - IPL 2026: Shubman Gill fined INR 12 lakh for slow over-rate in thriller vs Delhi "We've been doing drills every day with him, and then it came out in practice today, so he's got a very curious mind, he wants to get better, and like I say, after you work hard at something and you take it out to the middle… We've seen plenty of that for the last four weeks or so since he's been with us." How Mukul changed script for LSG LSG were going decently in the chase when things unraveled quickly and LSG came down to 128/7 from 73/2 despite Badoni's 34-ball 54. Youngster Choudhary took the charge then, he smashed 11 runs 17th over (Vaibhav Arora), 13 runs in 18th over (Kartik Tyagi), 16 runs in 19th over (Cam Green), and 13 of 14 runs needed in the last over by Vaibhav Arora to take his team home.

The batter was 2 off 8 balls when he decided to take matters seriously and went on to score 52 off next 19 balls to take his team home in the last-ball thriller by three wickets. LSG chased down 182-run target only because of him and coach Justin Langer was nothing but ecstatic about him.

IPL 2026 | 'Used to finishing off games': LSG coach Langer compares Mukul to Tim David and Andre Russell

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) won the IPL 2026 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Thursday (Apr 9) by three wickets. LSG were all but out of contest at 128/7 in 16 overs, needing 54 runs in last four overs with just three wickets in hands while chasing 182. Rookie batter Mukul Choudhary, however, had different plans as he smashes unbeaten 54 off 27 to take his team home on the last ball. The win took LSG on the fifth spot on the points table with four points from two wins and one loss in three matches played. KKR, meanwhile, slumped to ninth position with just one point from four matches which include three losses and one no-result.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-he-was-feeling-it-ex-protea-steyn-explains-why-dc-s-miller-denied-costly-single-vs-gt-1775715328665">IPL 2026 | Ex-Protea Steyn explains why DC's Miller denied costly single vs GT</a><h2>Mukul Choudhary - New IPL star</h2>LSG started the chase decently, added 40-odd runs for the opening wicket before Vaibhav Arora made two breakthroughs in the fifth over of the innings, sending back both LSG openers Aiden Markram (22) and Mitchell Marsh (15). The things were still looking okay with skipper Rishabh Pant (10) and Ayush Badoni adding 33 runs for the third wicket before Cam Green, bowling first over in the tournament, sent back the LSG skipper in the ninth over. Things unraveled quickly form thereon for LSG as they became 73/2 to 128/7 despite Badoni's 34-ball 54.Youngster Choudhary took the charge then, he smashed 11 runs 17th over (Vaibhav Arora), 13 runs in 18th over (Kartik Tyagi), 16 runs in 19th over (Cam Green), and 13 of 14 runs needed in the last over by Vaibhav Arora to take his team home.<h2>KKR skipper Rahane acknowledges sensational batting</h2>After the loss, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane also acknowledged that LSG has nothing to lose and it was about swinging every ball out of the park but Mukul played great shots. "Tough one to take. Really proud of the boys, the way we played. Mukul's knock was defining. The way he played his shots…in games like this, you do not want to pinpoint too many things. Execution here and there can happen, but credit to Mukul and that partnership. Those (slower balls into the pitch) deliveries did work," he said.

LSG were all but out of contest at 128/7 in 16 overs, needing 54 runs in last four overs with just three wickets in hands in a chase of 182. Rookie batter Mukul Choudhary, however, had different plans as he smashes unbeaten 54 off 27 to take his team home on the last ball. 

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) won the IPL 2026 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Thursday (Apr 9) by three wickets. LSG were all but out of contest at 128/7 in 16 overs, needing 54 runs in last four overs with just three wickets in hands while chasing 182. Rookie batter Mukul Choudhary, however, had different plans as he smashes unbeaten 54 off 27 to take his team home on the last ball. The win took LSG on the fifth spot on the points table with four points from two wins and one loss in three matches played. KKR, meanwhile, slumped to ninth position with just one point from four matches which include three losses and one no-result. Also Read - IPL 2026 | Ex-Protea Steyn explains why DC's Miller denied costly single vs GT Mukul Choudhary - New IPL star LSG started the chase decently, added 40-odd runs for the opening wicket before Vaibhav Arora made two breakthroughs in the fifth over of the innings, sending back both LSG openers Aiden Markram (22) and Mitchell Marsh (15). The things were still looking okay with skipper Rishabh Pant (10) and Ayush Badoni adding 33 runs for the third wicket before Cam Green, bowling first over in the tournament, sent back the LSG skipper in the ninth over. Things unraveled quickly form thereon for LSG as they became 73/2 to 128/7 despite Badoni's 34-ball 54. Youngster Choudhary took the charge then, he smashed 11 runs 17th over (Vaibhav Arora), 13 runs in 18th over (Kartik Tyagi), 16 runs in 19th over (Cam Green), and 13 of 14 runs needed in the last over by Vaibhav Arora to take his team home. KKR skipper Rahane acknowledges sensational batting After the loss, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane also acknowledged that LSG has nothing to lose and it was about swinging every ball out of the park but Mukul played great shots. "Tough one to take. Really proud of the boys, the way we played. Mukul's knock was defining. The way he played his shots…in games like this, you do not want to pinpoint too many things. Execution here and there can happen, but credit to Mukul and that partnership. Those (slower balls into the pitch) deliveries did work," he said.

LSG were all but out of contest at 128/7 in 16 overs, needing 54 runs in last four overs with just three wickets in hands in a chase of 182. Rookie batter Mukul Choudhary, however, had different plans as he smashes unbeaten 54 off 27 to take his team home on the last ball.&nbsp;

Who won yesterday's IPL 2026 match between Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders? Check result

It was an evening to remember for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and their rising star Mukul Choudhary as he helped his side clinch an epic Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) contest against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Needing 54 runs to win in four overs, Mukul stood up to the occasion, helping LSG register a last-ball win. After the match, the batter was quick to address his journey and what laid the foundation for his rise.<h2>Mukul Choudhary opens up on cricketing journey</h2>“My journey actually started even before I was born. My father had a dream that one day his son would play cricket. But back then, our family's condition wasn’t strong, so I couldn’t start early. I began playing at around 12-13 years of age. There weren’t many academies at that time,” Mukul said while speaking in the post-match.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“This was just my second match under lights. There is pressure. But I think that god has given me this opportunity, so I just believe in my ability. This is a chance to become something big or make a name for yourself. So I focus on the opportunity, not the pressure. (On what was the plan when Shami got out?) My plan was simple - I wanted to stay till the end. I trust myself that if I remain not out till the last, I can win the game,” Mukul added.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a><h2>What happened in the match?</h2>Chasing Kolkata’s competitive 181-4 at Eden Gardens, Lucknow were in all sorts of trouble at 128-7 after 16 overs despite Ayush Badoni's fluent 54 when Mukul, playing only his third IPL match, altered the script with a spectacular display of power hitting.The powerful right-hander blasted a bouquet of sixes in the last four overs to score 52 off his last 19 balls and leave the home team still searching for their first victory.

Needing 54 runs to win in four overs, Mukul Choudhary stood up to the occasion, helping LSG register a last-ball win. After the match, the batter was quick to address his journey and what laid the foundation for his rise.

It was an evening to remember for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and their rising star Mukul Choudhary as he helped his side clinch an epic Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) contest against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Needing 54 runs to win in four overs, Mukul stood up to the occasion, helping LSG register a last-ball win. After the match, the batter was quick to address his journey and what laid the foundation for his rise. Mukul Choudhary opens up on cricketing journey “My journey actually started even before I was born. My father had a dream that one day his son would play cricket. But back then, our family's condition wasn’t strong, so I couldn’t start early. I began playing at around 12-13 years of age. There weren’t many academies at that time,” Mukul said while speaking in the post-match. “This was just my second match under lights. There is pressure. But I think that god has given me this opportunity, so I just believe in my ability. This is a chance to become something big or make a name for yourself. So I focus on the opportunity, not the pressure. (On what was the plan when Shami got out?) My plan was simple - I wanted to stay till the end. I trust myself that if I remain not out till the last, I can win the game,” Mukul added. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions What happened in the match? Chasing Kolkata’s competitive 181-4 at Eden Gardens, Lucknow were in all sorts of trouble at 128-7 after 16 overs despite Ayush Badoni's fluent 54 when Mukul, playing only his third IPL match, altered the script with a spectacular display of power hitting. The powerful right-hander blasted a bouquet of sixes in the last four overs to score 52 off his last 19 balls and leave the home team still searching for their first victory.

Needing 54 runs to win in four overs, Mukul Choudhary stood up to the occasion, helping LSG register a last-ball win. After the match, the batter was quick to address his journey and what laid the foundation for his rise.

IPL 2026: LSG's Mukul Choudhary reflects on cricketing journey, says 'it was only my second match under the lights'

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) had an unsung hero to thank on Thursday (April 9) as they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). Playing at the iconic Eden Gardens, it was Mukul Choudhary who was the hero of the hour with an unbeaten 54 runs as he helped LSG beat KKR by three wickets in a last-over thriller. The defeat for KKR also means they remain winless in the IPL 2026 and have only one point to their name.<h2>LSG heist win from KKR</h2>Chasing Kolkata’s competitive 181/4 at Eden Gardens, Lucknow were in all sorts of trouble at 128-7 after 16 overs when Choudhary, playing only his third IPL match, altered the script with a spectacular display of power hitting. The powerful right-hander blasted a bouquet of sixes in the last four overs to score 52 off his last 19 balls and leave the home team still searching for their first victory.&nbsp;Kolkata had recovered from a mid-innings slump after being put in, Rowman Powell providing the impetus with an unbeaten 39 during a 70-run alliance for the fifth wicket with Cameron Green. Lucknow began brightly through Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram, who put on 41. But once Vaibhav Arora dismissed both openers in the space of six deliveries in the fifth over, Kolkata applied relentless pressure.&nbsp;Arora was tasked with defending 14 in the final over, but Choudhary and Avesh Khan scrambled the winning bye with one needed off the last ball.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a><h2>What happened in KKR innings?</h2>Kolkata lost Kiwi opener Finn Allen in the second over of the contest, caught at third man off Prince Yadav, and were shackled in the first four overs by Mohammed Shami's accuracy and swing, but once skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi spent a little time in the middle, they began to find their range.&nbsp;The floodgates opened in the sixth over when Raghuvanshi smacked Avesh for two fours and a six, and with Rahane opening his shoulders, runs came at a decent clip. The second-wicket pair had added 84 when Lucknow broke through with leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi having Rahane smartly caught at mid-wicket by Shami. That sparked a mini-collapse with the home side losing three for 12 in 19 balls, including Raghuvanshi for a fluent 45.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a>&nbsp;Lucknow surged back into contention by conceding just 17 runs from overs 11 through 15, requiring Powell and Green to first steady the ship and then deliver the acceleration. Green, the most expensive buy at the December auction in Abu Dhabi at Rs 25.2 crore ($2.8 million), shrugged off a sluggish start with a flurry of late boundaries on his way to an unbeaten 32. Powell was more enterprising, smashing four fours and two sixes, but both were trumped by Choudhary.

Playing at the iconic Eden Gardens, it was Mukul Choudhary who was the hero of the hour with an unbeaten 54 runs as he helped LSG beat KKR by three wickets in a last-over thriller. 

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) had an unsung hero to thank on Thursday (April 9) as they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). Playing at the iconic Eden Gardens, it was Mukul Choudhary who was the hero of the hour with an unbeaten 54 runs as he helped LSG beat KKR by three wickets in a last-over thriller. The defeat for KKR also means they remain winless in the IPL 2026 and have only one point to their name. LSG heist win from KKR Chasing Kolkata’s competitive 181/4 at Eden Gardens, Lucknow were in all sorts of trouble at 128-7 after 16 overs when Choudhary, playing only his third IPL match, altered the script with a spectacular display of power hitting. The powerful right-hander blasted a bouquet of sixes in the last four overs to score 52 off his last 19 balls and leave the home team still searching for their first victory. Kolkata had recovered from a mid-innings slump after being put in, Rowman Powell providing the impetus with an unbeaten 39 during a 70-run alliance for the fifth wicket with Cameron Green. Lucknow began brightly through Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram, who put on 41. But once Vaibhav Arora dismissed both openers in the space of six deliveries in the fifth over, Kolkata applied relentless pressure. Arora was tasked with defending 14 in the final over, but Choudhary and Avesh Khan scrambled the winning bye with one needed off the last ball. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions What happened in KKR innings? Kolkata lost Kiwi opener Finn Allen in the second over of the contest, caught at third man off Prince Yadav, and were shackled in the first four overs by Mohammed Shami's accuracy and swing, but once skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi spent a little time in the middle, they began to find their range. The floodgates opened in the sixth over when Raghuvanshi smacked Avesh for two fours and a six, and with Rahane opening his shoulders, runs came at a decent clip. The second-wicket pair had added 84 when Lucknow broke through with leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi having Rahane smartly caught at mid-wicket by Shami. That sparked a mini-collapse with the home side losing three for 12 in 19 balls, including Raghuvanshi for a fluent 45. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL Lucknow surged back into contention by conceding just 17 runs from overs 11 through 15, requiring Powell and Green to first steady the ship and then deliver the acceleration. Green, the most expensive buy at the December auction in Abu Dhabi at Rs 25.2 crore ($2.8 million), shrugged off a sluggish start with a flurry of late boundaries on his way to an unbeaten 32. Powell was more enterprising, smashing four fours and two sixes, but both were trumped by Choudhary.

Playing at the iconic Eden Gardens, it was Mukul Choudhary who was the hero of the hour with an unbeaten 54 runs as he helped LSG beat KKR by three wickets in a last-over thriller.&nbsp;

IPL 2026: LSG unsung hero Mukul Choudhary floors KKR in last-ball thriller as barren run continues for hosts

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IPL 2026 | 'Bat speed develops': LSG's INR 2.6 crore buy Mukul Choudhary reveals how he scored 54 not out off 27 vs KKR

IPL 2026 | LSG coach Langer compares Mukul to Tim David and Andre Russell

Who won yesterday's IPL 2026 match between LSG vs KKR? Check result

IPL: Mukul Choudhary reflects on cricketing journey, says 'it was only my...'

IPL 2026: LSG unsung hero Mukul Choudhary floors KKR in last-ball thriller