The city of Jhunjhunu, known for producing brave Indian army soldiers, has found a new warrior in Mukul Choudhary. Demonstrating the courage of a soldier, Mukul came out to bat for Lucknow Super Giants when his team was in trouble against Kolkata Knight Riders.
KKR vs LSG: Highlights | Scorecard
After negotiating a challenging spell from Sunil Narine, Mukul began to dismantle the KKR bowling attack with power and control. With 30 runs needed from the last two overs, the young LSG batsman targeted Cameron Green and Vaibhav Arora to secure a crucial victory for his side.
Mukul attributed his fearless approach to the spirit of his hometown, which is known for raising jawans.
“Yes sir It’s in my blood. I’m doing it here but they serve the country at the border,” he said during the post-match presentation.
LIVING HIS FATHER’S DREAM
Known as a big hitter from Rajasthan who idolises MS Dhoni, Mukul shared that his cricketing dream was inspired by his father. He outlined his journey from Jhunjhunu to Sikar, Jaipur and finally Delhi to improve his skills.
“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 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 explained.
He trained for several years at SBS Cricket Academy in Sikar before moving to Jaipur for better opportunities. Last year, recognising the faster pace of T20 cricket, he spent time in Gurugram playing matches in Delhi to gain experience in high-tempo cricket.
Reflecting on his rise, Mukul recalled an Under-19 match against Uttar Pradesh where his performance stood out in a low-scoring game. “That day, my father felt confident that I could make it,” he said.
When Mohammed Shami’s wicket fell, Mukul was left with only Avesh Khan for support. Despite the pressure, he struck two boundaries and seven sixes to finish the game. “There is pressure, sir. But I think that God has given me this opportunity, so I just believe in my ability. This is a chance where you can become something big or make a name for yourself. So I focus on the opportunity, not the pressure,” he added.
His simple plan was to stay till the end. “I trust myself that if I remain not out till the last, I can win the game. I just focus on playing my shots. If the ball comes into my area, I’ll hit it. The rest, whatever happens, happens,” Mukul said.
Lucknow Super Giants will now return home to face Gujarat Titans on Sunday, April 12.
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