‘Phasa dya…but MS Dhoni’: Mukul Chaudhary passes big test with big finish – Watch | Cricket News –

New Delhi: Lucknow Super Giants’ rising star Mukul Choudhury became an overnight sensation after scripting a stunning last-ball winner against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Thursday.

Chasing 182, LSG were in deep trouble at 128 for seven in the 16th over. With the match over, the 21-year-old decided to take matters into his own hands.On a surface that KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane later described as “not easy to play big shots”, Mukul unleashed a stunning attack, smashing seven fours in a brave display. Remarkably, this was only his third match in the Indian Premier League – and only his second match under the lights.“When Aayush bhai (Aayush Badoni) walked out, I knew I had to take responsibility. I just wanted to finish the match, I didn’t think about winning or losing,” Mukul said after the match.Having grown up watching MS Dhoni’s matches, Mukul lived that dream at Eden Gardens. The youngster from Rajasthan hit 30 runs in the last two games, sealing a memorable win in a thrilling final-ball match.Born in Jonjonu, Mukul was unbeaten on 54 off 27 balls, distinguished not only by his powerful hitting, but also by the composure he showed under pressure. He credited his skipper Rishabh Pant for keeping him calm in the tense chase.

“Pant told me: ‘Why are you thinking so much? Don’t do it. Just follow the process you’ve been working on.’ That helped, he revealed, admitting that the situation was not easy at all. “Even if someone is playing their 15th or 50th game, that kind of situation brings pressure. I try to focus on the opportunity, not the pressure.”Interestingly, before the match, Mukul picked Heinrich Klaassen over several top wicket-keepers – including Quinton de Kock, Jos Buttler, KL Rahul, Jitesh Sharma, Sanju Samson and Prabhasimran Singh – in a quick podcast.

But when asked to choose between Pant and Dhoni, the youngster smiled and admitted: “Phasa dya aapne…but MS Dhoni.”LSG will next take on Gujarat Titans on April 12 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.