Kolkata, April 9 Mukul Choudhary said his sole focus during the chase was to stay until the end, a strategy that ultimately helped Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) achieve a thrilling victory in the final over against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 15th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, which was played at Eden Gardens on Thursday.
Chasing 182, LSG were under pressure in the final overs, but Choudhary remained calm and turned the game around with fearless hitting. He smashed crucial sixes in the closing stages, including two in the final over, to guide his team to victory.
"My aim was to bat until the last and see what happens. This was only my second match. God has given me this opportunity; there may be pressure, but it is also an opportunity to make a name for myself," Choudhary said after being named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 54 off 27 balls.
Choudhary also reflected on his journey into cricket. "My journey started when my father was not even married; he dreamed that his son would play cricket. I started at the age group level, but there were no good academies in Sikkim. I played matches in Delhi and Gurgaon, and that helped me," he said. "When I was playing against U19 versus UP, it was a low-scoring game, and I made a contribution, so he knew then that I would make it big," he added.
The young player highlighted his natural attacking approach. "I also liked the first six; I had not scored a single six in two games, so the first one was special. In my mind, I knew one out of the four balls would be in the slot, and I was just waiting for it," he said.
"From a young age, I like hitting sixes and not playing along the ground," Choudhary added, underscoring the aggressive mindset that propelled LSG to victory.
LSG captain Pant praised the youngster's performance. "When I see him in the nets, you can see that... When you do it in the match, I have no words to describe it. But what a fantastic effort," he said.
Pant also highlighted the importance of backing players. "One thing I make sure of is trust, as a captain and the management; having trust plays a big role. Definitely, it is the character, every match someone is putting their hand, something is building for sure; we don't want to talk too much, but something good is cooking," he added.
Meanwhile, LSG registered their second win after defeating KKR. They will next face the Gujarat Titans on Sunday at their home ground, Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.