Mukul Choudhary: 36 sixes in an innings, 500 km bus rides, an MS Dhoni dream

[ad_1] NEW DELHI: Calm beneath stress and fearless on the demise, Mukul Choudhary lit up Eden Gardens with a 27-ball 57, launching seven sixes to script a exceptional last-over win for Lucknow Tremendous Giants towards Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday.

The feelings had been written all around the 21-year-old from Jhunjhunu’s face as he struck the successful runs - holding his nerve, battling anxiousness, negotiating yorkers within the last over from Vaibhav Arora, ready for the suitable ball to ship over the ropes, after which elevating each arms in celebration earlier than his teammates sprinted in from the dugout to mob him.

That six-hitting IPL evening, nonetheless, is backed by an excellent larger story of preparation. This wasn’t the primary time the teen from Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan had taken bowlers aside. Lengthy earlier than making headlines within the IPL, he had already smashed an unimaginable 36 sixes in an innings.

36 SIXES IN AN INNINGS In Sikar (Jhunjhunu), the place Mukul trains, he practices on black soil. Adjusting to red-soil wickets, nonetheless, grew to become a serious problem. That’s when he turned to his Beneath-23 batting coach Chandrapal Singh. In Rajasthan, red-soil pitches are present in Udaipur and Nathdwara. The space was daunting, however an adamant Mukul embraced the problem.

Packing his package at evening, he would board a bus to Udaipur (in Rajasthan) - and generally Nathdwara (in Rajasthan) - each practically 500 km from Jhunjhunu.

"Mukul is extraordinarily hardworking. I didn’t know if he would comply with it, however he accepted the problem regardless of all of the journey. He needed to cowl lengthy distances - it’s not simple to journey 500 km by bus, play a match, keep in a single day, after which return. He did this virtually 3 times every week," Chandrapal informed TimesofIndia.com.

"He as soon as hit 36 sixes in a T20 match. We had referred to as up a few groups, and Mukul’s facet was up towards them. I knew he would play a giant knock, however I didn’t anticipate him to set issues on fireplace the way in which he did. He was hitting the ball brutally. He has additionally practiced MS Dhoni’s helicopter shot,” Chandrapal stated.

“You will discover crimson soil in locations like Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Cuttack and Karnataka. The way in which he stepped out of his consolation zone to arrange for this IPL is exceptional. He's an entire group man—group at all times comes first for him,” he added.

Mukul loved a formidable run in home cricket.After making a mark on the Beneath-23 stage, he scored 173 runs in 5 innings within the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26 at a putting fee of 198.85. His very good type with the bat earned him an IPL contract, with Lucknow Tremendous Giants choosing him up for Rs 2.60 crore on the IPL 2026 public sale.

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MUKUL CHOUDHARY: NOT JUST ANOTHER HITTER For the 21-year-old, the power to clear the ropes with ease - from bat swing to footwork, attain, and studying the scenario - has not come in a single day.

“I've practised that shot since childhood,” Mukul had stated through the post-match press convention after pulling off the heist.

“My physique is of course a bit highly effective, and that has helped me. I additionally practise hitting 100–150 sixes day-after-day, so the bat velocity develops for those who preserve repeating it. I've been coaching exhausting for the final 5 to 6 months, and it has now develop into a part of my recreation,” he had stated.

After the match, LSG captain Rishabh Pant, who had regarded tense till the ultimate supply, appeared visibly relieved. A broad smile unfold throughout his face as he walked as much as hug Mukul.

For Chandrapal, Mukul has at all times been a participant who places the group above every thing else.

“Greater than only a stylish batter, he is an excellent group man. His first precedence is at all times the group. I seen this when he first got here to me. In each scenario, he would ask, ‘Sir, how can I assist the group win?’ That angle has made him particular and introduced him this far,” he stated.

“We've seen gamers like Russell and Pollard, who're bodily very sturdy hitters. He's related in that sense. He has that form of muscular construct and a really completely different mindset. If he has to hit 100 sixes in a day, he can do it comfortably,” added Chandrapal.

ULTIMATE DREAM - MEETING DHONI Amongst his seven sixes towards Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday evening, one stood out - a Dhoni-esque helicopter shot that despatched the Eden Gardens crowd right into a deafening roar. All the LSG dugout, together with Rishabh Pant, was left shocked.

Lucknow Tremendous Giants now will subsequent face Chennai Tremendous Kings on Might 10 and for Mukul Choudhary, he won't simply be using on the excessive of his unimaginable innings, he will likely be wanting ahead to assembly his idol MS Dhoni.

"I at all times look as much as MS Dhoni as a result of I'm additionally a finisher. I at all times look as much as him. His helicopter shot, which may be very iconic, is my favorite. The way in which he led India within the 2011 World Cup, all people remembers it. I need to be like him and end off matches and assist my group win," Mukul had stated on JioHotstar after the sport.

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Lucknow Tremendous Giants will subsequent face Chennai Tremendous Kings on Might 10. Earlier than that, their schedule is packed: they tackle Gujarat Titans on Sunday, adopted by Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 15, Punjab Kings on April 19, Rajasthan Royals on April 22, Kolkata Knight Riders on April 26, Mumbai Indians on Might 4, and as soon as once more Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Might 7.