LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka hugs Mukul Choudhary after the win. (image x)
New Delhi: It was an emotional night at Eden Gardens as Lucknow Super Giants registered a thrilling last-ball win over Kolkata Knight Riders, but what really captured hearts was what followed the final delivery.Young Mukul Choudhary, who wrote the dramatic chase, was embraced by LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka in a moment that has since gone viral. The heartfelt hug, followed by a pat on the cheek and a short conversation, reflected the magnitude of the innings as the team registered its second successive win to climb to the IPL points table.Mukul’s Dream Beats the Seals is a thrillerChasing 182, LSG were reeling at 128/7 in 16 overs despite Aayush Badoni’s fluent 54.
As the match wound down, Mukul turned things around in stunning fashion, hitting seven balls en route to an unbeaten 54 off just 27 balls.Playing only his third match in the ISL, the 21-year-old unleashed a fearless counter-attack, scoring 52 points from his last 19 deliveries to take the contest to the end. With one goal needed off the final ball, LSG raced through to seal a three-wicket win.“There is always pressure, but God gave us this opportunity, and I am trying to do what I can do,” Mukul said.
“My plan was to play until the end. I believe in myself so much that if I stay, I can bring the team home.”A hug to win heartsAs the players left, Goenka made his way onto the field and embraced Mukul in a touching moment. The LSG owner, who was visibly emotional, congratulated the youngster, even covering his face in a gesture that emphasized the importance of the roles.The photos quickly spread across social media, with fans praising the relationship between the series and its young talent.
It was more than just a win, it was a moment of appreciation and encouragement for a player at the beginning of his journey.He watches:
KKR falters despite strong totalEarlier, KKR posted a competitive 181/4, with Rovman Powell (39 not out) and Cameron Green (32 not out) adding late momentum. Ajinkya Rahane (41) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (45) were also involved during a strong middle stage.However, despite Vaibhav Arora’s early breakthroughs, KKR were unable to contain Mukul’s late onslaught.Ultimately, while the result boosted LSG’s campaign, it was the emotional moment following the match that stole the show.