A star was born in Kolkata on April 10 during the IPL 2026 showdown as Lucknow Super Giants edged out Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets, thanks to Mukul Chaudhary’s blitzkrieg. The 21-year-old keeper-batter remained not out on 54 from 27 deliveries, blasting seven massive sixes and one boundary to seal the chase.
In a candid JioHotstar interview, the young talent revealed his blueprint for success: MS Dhoni. ‘Dhoni is my constant watch. As a finisher, I emulate him. That helicopter shot? Unmatched. His 2011 World Cup captaincy is legendary. My goal is to mirror that – clutch performances to clinch wins.’
Chaudhary credits his father’s monumental sacrifices. From a poor family, his dad, a college teacher and RAS aspirant, chose cricket over civil services. ‘He couldn’t play professionally due to our situation but vowed to train me. He sold properties, earned money, and at 12, got me into Sikar’s SBS Academy.’
The road was bumpy. ‘No family cricket ties, no local players. On my 2015 birthday, Dad and I hunted academies across three districts. SBS, fresh and fervent, became our launchpad.’
Chaudhary’s rise from rags to IPL riches embodies resilience, with Dhoni’s shadow guiding his helicopter swings toward greatness.
