New Delhi: Lucknow Supergiants’ rising star Mukul Choudhary became an overnight sensation after his brilliant last-ball win against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Thursday. Chasing 182, LSG were in deep trouble at 128 for seven in the 16th over. With the game slipping away, the 21-year-old decided to take matters into his own hands.On a surface that KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane later described as “it’s not easy to play big shots”, Mikkel unleashed a breathtaking attack, hitting seven sixes in a fearless display. Remarkably, this was only his third IPL game – and only his second in the spotlight.“When Ayush Bhai (Ayush Baduni) got out, I knew I had to take the responsibility. I just wanted to bring the game close, I wasn’t thinking about winning or losing,” Mukul said after the match.As soon as they saw it, they grew up. MS Dhoni Finish the game, Muckle lived that dream at Eden Gardens. The youngster from Rajasthan scored 30 runs in the last two overs, sealing a memorable win in a thrilling last-ball encounter.Born in Jhunjhunu, Muckle’s unbeaten 54 off 27 balls was notable not only for his power hitting, but the composure he showed under pressure. He gave credit to his captain. Rishabh Pant To keep him calm in pursuit of stress.
“Pant said to me, ‘Why are you thinking so much? Don’t. Just follow the process you’re working on.’ That helped,” he revealed, admitting that the situation was far from easy. Even if one is playing his 15th or 50th match, this kind of situation adds pressure. I try to focus on the opportunity, not the pressure.Interestingly, before the match, Mikkel picked Heinrich Klaasen over several top wicketkeepers – including Quinton de Kock, Jos Buttler, KL Rahul, Jitesh Sharma, Sanju Samson and Prabhasmaran Singh – in a fast-paced podcast.But when asked to choose between Pant and Dhoni, the youngster admitted with a smile: “Phasa daya apni… but MS Dhoni.”LSG will next face Gujarat Titans on April 12 at the Ekna Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
