R Ashwin Hails Mukul Choudhary as “Scary” Talent After LSG Match-Winning Knock vs KKR: “Surprise Surprise”
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) young batter Mukul Choudhary continued his sensational rise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 with a match-winning performance against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), earning high praise from former India spinner R Ashwin, who called him a “fabulous” and “scary” talent for the future of Indian cricket.
The 21-year-old played a breathtaking unbeaten knock of 54 off just 27 deliveries at Eden Gardens on Thursday, powering LSG to a thrilling win in a tense run chase. His innings, laced with two fours and seven sixes, saw him dominate the KKR bowling attack in the death overs, clearing the boundary at least once in each of the final five overs.
Ashwin impressed by composure and potential
Taking to social media platform X, R Ashwin lauded Mukul’s temperament and highlighted how franchises aggressively competed to secure his services at the IPL auction.
“Mukul Choudhary was fabulous last night. Guess who were in the bidding war with @LucknowIPL Surprise surprise it was @rajasthanroyals, well done LSG to secure a player who looks promising and beyond,” Ashwin wrote.
He further added that Mukul’s composure under pressure reflects the growing depth of Indian batting talent, which he believes will strengthen India’s dominance in T20 cricket globally.
Ashwin also remarked that the quality of emerging players like Mukul could make India’s future T20 World Cup squads “scary” for opposition teams, given the rising pool of fearless finishers.
A finishing masterclass under pressure
Mukul’s knock came at a crucial stage when LSG were under pressure in the chase. However, the young right-hander held his nerve, accelerating brilliantly in the final overs to take the game deep and finish it in style.
His ability to consistently clear the boundary in high-pressure moments stood out, marking him as one of the most promising finishers in the tournament so far.
Justin Langer compares Mukul’s skills to Virat Kohli
LSG head coach Justin Langer was equally impressed, praising Mukul’s athleticism, sharp cricketing brain, and rapid improvement since joining the franchise.
“What I love the most is that he is a real athlete, and the way he runs between the wickets is elite. It is like how Virat runs between the wickets, but the other thing about him is his game sense,” Langer said.
He also highlighted Mukul’s willingness to learn and adapt, revealing that the youngster has been actively working on weaknesses such as facing the short ball during practice sessions.
“He has a sharp brain. He is very curious and wants to get better. We have been doing drills with him every day, and it came out in practice and in the game,” Langer added.
A rising star in IPL 2026
With back-to-back impactful performances, Mukul Choudhary is quickly emerging as one of LSG’s most valuable assets. His blend of power-hitting, composure, and adaptability under pressure has already drawn comparisons to some of the modern greats of the game.
As IPL 2026 progresses, both fans and experts will be watching closely to see whether the young finisher can continue his rise and establish himself as a long-term star for Lucknow Super Giants and Indian cricket.
