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The IPL has thrown up some breathtaking batting performances over the years, each embodying that fearless approach the format encourages. On Thursday night, under the glare of the Eden Gardens floodlights, 21-year-old Mukul Choudhary joined the club with an unbeaten 27-ball 54, helping Lucknow Super Giants snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Kolkata Knight Riders’s 181-4 was overwhelmed off the final delivery. Mukul’s innings, which included two boundaries and seven sixes, the last a stunning hit over cover with seven needed off two, was remarkable for more reasons than one — not least the calm and collected approach of a ‘novice’.
“Even a couple of years ago, I used to be in a hurry, but now I try to play as long as possible. In the last match [against Sunrisers Hyderabad], I was not connecting well and Rishabh bhai [Pant] told me not to invite pressure by overthinking; just watch the ball and hit it,” explained the Rajasthan batter, who is in his first IPL season and was playing only his second match under lights.
Rishabh Pant
With the big guns back in the dugout, No. 7 Mukul added 54 in 24 with Avesh Khan for the unfinished eighth wicket, the latter contributing just one of three deliveries with Mukul turning down several singles to keep the strike.
“My self-belief has been boosted by the trust everyone shows in my abilities. I wasn’t thinking whether we’ll win or lose; I simply believed that if the situation [in the end] was such that we could win, then I would win it for the team,” said Mukul, who was picked [for R2.6 crore] on the ‘insistence’ of video analyst Shrinivas and has immediately impressed head coach Justin Langer.
“The way Mukul talks about the game makes it feel like he’s played 300 matches already. He’s got power, he’s a great athlete, and he’s got grace. That’s a pretty good combination,” coach Langer said during a post-match discussion.
A finisher, Mukul isn’t cowered by pressure. “There’s pressure because it’s my first season. There was pressure in practice matches too because you want to be in the playing XI. Also, you want to do well in domestic matches to get this opportunity. Pressure is always there, but it also gives an opportunity to make a name for yourself,” he said.
54*
No of runs added by Mukul Choudhary and Avesh Khan — the highest stand for the eighth wicket or lower in a successful run chase in the IPL
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