Mukul Choudhary’s brilliance with the bat, which won the match for LSG, was the fruit of a family’s determination to follow a dream
When 21-year-old Mukul Choudhary walked off the field after guiding Lucknow SuperGiants to a dramatic IPL victory against KKR, the cheers at Eden Gardens were not just for his match-winning knock of 54 runs in 27 balls—they were also for a journey shaped by obsession, sacrifice and destiny.
Determined dad
“Even before my marriage with Sunita Devi, I dreamt of having two sons who were cricketers,” Mukul’s father, Dalip Choudhary, recalls, speaking to this writer. Though Dalip’s second child is a daughter who is preparing to be an IAS officer, he has lived his dream through Mukul.
Dalip’s determination to see his son become a cricketer was so strong that he uprooted his family for the sake of a future for Mukul in the sport. “I rented a house in Jaipur and shifted my wife and daughter from our village to look after him,” says Dalip, who works in real estate and also runs a small eatery.
Change of pace
Mukul’s cricketing path wasn’t straightforward. He began as a fast bowler, but fate intervened. While he was at the SBS Academy in Sikar, Rajasthan, under coach Vijendra Pachar, they were short of a wicketkeeper in one match. “I advised him to keep wickets. That’s how he became a wicketkeeper,” Pachar recalls.
From that day, Mukul embraced the dual role of wicketkeeper and batter, honing his skills with relentless discipline.
Practice, practice, practice
His father adds: “He is so obsessed with the game that he didn’t complete his graduation, although he filled his exam forms thrice. He is a pure vegetarian and prefers home-made food. He never skips training or practice, even on match days.”
Mukul reportedly practices hitting 100 to 150 sixes every day. He belted out seven sixes at Eden Gardens, and though they were the first he unleashed this IPL season, they turned a tense chase into triumph for Lucknow.
Mukul’s rise is a reminder of the IPL’s magic – ordinary boys turn into extraordinary heroes overnight. For Dalip Choudhary, it is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. For Mukul, it is the beginning of a career that promises more drama, courage and victory.
