IPL 2026: Faf du Plessis, the former Chennai Super Kings and South Africa batter, couldn’t stop praising Lucknow Super Giants’ young star Mukul Choudhary. After Choudhary’s match-winning performance against Kolkata Knight Riders, Faf pointed out how the youngster closes out games, especially those smooth flick shots, and said it all reminded him a lot of MS Dhoni at the crease.
Mukul lit up Eden Gardens with an explosive 54 not out from just 27 balls. He smashed seven sixes and two fours, dragging LSG across the finish line on the final ball. After the match, Du Plessis talked about the innings on JioCinema. He said, “It’s incredible to see the awareness to take the game through. The power from the young man, unbelievable batting. What a game of cricket, with lots of ebbs and flows, and stealing it towards the end. Some of the shots reminded me of watching MS Dhoni back in the day, especially those flick shots, so much power.”
Mukul Choudhary has the pedigree to end games
LSG has found a fresh spark in Choudhary in IPL 2026. Though he is new to the stage, but the lower-order batter is already making a big impression. On the other hand, Du Plessis pointed out that KKR, despite being three-time champions, just can’t seem to catch the pace right now. He said, “You get little moments in the season where it can almost be defined, and you look back and think, ‘If that had just gone our way, the season would have looked a lot different.’ This is one of those moments for LSG, finishing the game and getting across the line when they shouldn’t have, with a player who is inexperienced but has the pedigree to take the game through. On the other side, KKR will feel that the rub of the green is not going their way.”
KKR are yet to pick up a single win in the IPL 2026 season and are in a pretty precarious state. Du Plessis said, “They are a team that has now had three losses and one rained-off game, those 50-50 moments are just not falling in their favour. I think back to the first ball of the last over, when an easy single was on offer for Avesh. Those are the kinds of things you have to make sure you are switched on for as a team if you want to get across the line.”
For more news & updates, follow The Crichub on X and YouTube
