Mukul Choudhary starred with the bat in Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) thrilling three-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday (April 9).

Chasing a target of 182, LSG collapsed to 128/7. However, Mukul single-handedly turned the game on its head, smashing an unbeaten 54 off just 27 balls with 2 fours and 7 sixes to take his team over the line on the final delivery.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, the uncapped youngster attributed his heroics in a tense run-chase to backing from captain Rishabh Pant, coach Justin Langer and the entire LSG ecosystem.

"I used to rush myself a couple of years ago, but now I have practiced playing long, taking the game deep and winning it. Even in the last two games, I played only four-five balls, I didn't get out, but I was not able to hit.

"Pant told me (in the bus on the way): 'Why are you thinking so much: I'll do this, I'll do that. Don't. Just follow the process you have been working on. If you think, you'll put a lot of pressure. See the ball like you do and hit it. We have belief in you, now have that in yourself," Mukul told reporters.

During a pre-season camp, Langer had made a bold claim: "If he's willing, in the next four months, I am going to turn him into the scariest No.6-7 batter in India."

When reminded about the head coach’s comment, Mukul said: "If such a renowned coach says that about you, he has definitely seen something. They showed faith in me, so it was on me to repay it. He (Langer) would separately work on me daily for 10-20 minutes."

During his match-winning knock, Mukul hit a MS Dhoni-esque helicopter six, a shot he revealed practicing since childhood.

"I always liked that (Dhoni) shot, the way he would finish it. It's a good ball to hit for six, if you can hit that, the bowler really has to think what to do. That's why I practice it."

He dedicated the innings to Dhoni and his father, Dalip Kumar Choudhary, who wanted to make his son a cricketer even before getting married.

"I used to watch how MS Dhoni would finish games," Mukul said. "I bat at the same number. He inspired me early in my career, I finished the game and would dedicate it to him."

Mukul Choudhary also opened up on his rigorous training routine of hitting 100 to 150 sixes every single day.

"My body has a bit more natural power, but I practice as well - hitting 100 to 150 sixes daily - it develops if you keep practising it regularly. For the last 5-6 months specifically, I have been working a lot on it, so it's now developed," he stated.

When asked about playing under pressure, Mukul said it's part of the game. "This is my first season, there's pressure in practice games as well: they have so much belief in me, they've bought me, I have to make my way into the playing XI and do well."

"Only when you do well in domestic do you reach here. That pressure continues. But it gives you a chance: if you do well here, you'll make your distinct name and identity. I focus on that instead of pressure, it stays for a few balls, so I take a deep breath".

"Even if someone is playing their 15th or 50th match, this situation will create pressure. You have to distract yourself and believe in yourself. I am still learning it."

Mukul had pulled off a similar heist in a Syed Mushtaq Ali 2025-26 game for Rajasthan against Delhi. He believes it was because of that innings: "I got picked (at LSG) in a way."

"I faced a similar situation in SMAT, needing 25 off the last over, five off the last ball. (LSG's) Ayush bhai (Badoni) was bowling. Even there, I took the game till the end. This had happened to me before, so I had belief in myself today as well that if I stay put, I will be able to hit it at the end."

(With Cricbuzz Inputs)