Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: A viral video of head coach Justin Langer declaring he would turn Mukul Choudhary into “the scariest No.6 or 7 batter in India” has taken centre stage after the youngster’s stunning match-winning knock for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026.The video, shared by LSG after their dramatic win over Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, shows Langer prophetically telling Mukul during a training session: “In the next four months, I am going to turn you into the scariest No. 6 or 7 batter in India.” Following Mukul’s heroics, the clip has gone viral across social media.WATCH:Prophecy fulfilled in dramatic fashionChasing 182, LSG were in deep trouble at 128/7 in 16 overs. What followed was a breathtaking display of power hitting from Mukul, playing just his third IPL match.The 21-year-old smashed seven sixes in an unbeaten 54 off 27 balls, scoring 52 runs off his last 19 deliveries to script a remarkable three-wicket win on the final ball. His fearless approach turned a near-certain defeat into one of the most memorable chases of the season.“My plan was to play till the end. I believe in myself so much that if I stayed, I could take the team home,” Mukul said after being named Player of the Match. “There is pressure, but I focus on the opportunity, not the pressure.”A journey shaped by belief and sacrificeMukul’s rise has been anything but conventional. Coming from Jhunjhunu, he began playing cricket only at the age of 12-13 due to limited resources. Training at an academy in Sikar before moving to Jaipur, he later honed his T20 skills in Gurugram to adapt to the fast-paced format.“My journey started even before I was born. My father had a dream that his son would play cricket,” he said. “If the ball comes into my area, I’ll hit it. That’s how I’ve always played.”His aggressive mindset was evident in the final over, where he waited patiently for the right ball. “Even if the bowler delivers four perfect balls, I knew one would come into my zone,” he added.
