Mukul Choudhary is a 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan who plays for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.
Born in Jhunjhunu, he rose through domestic cricket with explosive batting performances. LSG signed him for ₹2.60 crore at the IPL 2026 auction.
His match-winning 54* against KKR on 9 April 2026 announced him as one of India’s most exciting young finishers. This profile covers everything you need to know about this rising star.
Bio and Personal Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mukul Dalip Choudhary |
| Date of Birth | 6 August 2004 |
| Age | 21 years (as of April 2026) |
| Birthplace | Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, India |
| Role | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Domestic Team | Rajasthan |
| IPL Team | Lucknow Super Giants (2026-) |
| Father | Dalip Kumar Choudhary |
| Mother | Sunita Choudhary |
Early Life and Background
Some info about the early life of Mukul Choudhary.
A Dream Born Before Birth
Mukul’s cricket journey started even before he was born. His father, Dalip Kumar Choudhary, was a massive cricket fan from Jhunjhunu.
Dalip promised himself that if he ever had a son, he would make him a cricketer. That’s dedication before conception!
Family Sacrifices That Built a Cricketer
The family faced financial struggles and limited sports infrastructure in their small-town district. Dalip left his teaching job at a coaching center.
He sold his share of the family house and took loans to fund his son’s cricket training. That’s putting everything on the line.
Dalip then ventured into real estate and hospitality to generate more income. His mother, Sunita, woke up at 4 AM every day to prepare meals.
She would follow Mukul to training sessions and even glance at him from her classroom to ensure he was practicing. Eventually, she quit her job to move to Jaipur with him.
Cricket Training Journey
Mukul was first enrolled at the SBS Cricket Academy in Sikar, located about 80 km from Jhunjhunu.
He attended coaching clinics organised by Yograj Singh and Dinesh Lad. Later, he found a permanent base at Aravalli Coaching Center in Jaipur.
Coaches Vikas Yadav and Vijay Golada moved him from fast bowling to the batting group after spotting his potential.
From Fast Bowler to Wicketkeeper
Fun fact: Mukul didn’t start as a wicketkeeper. He began his cricket journey as a medium-fast bowler.
During a match, his team lacked a wicketkeeper, so he stepped in. The gloves felt natural, and the rest is history.
Career Milestones and Debut Dates
| Format | Debut Date | Opponent/Tournament |
|---|---|---|
| India U19 Debut | Early 2022 | vs Sri Lanka |
| First-Class Debut | 17 January 2023 | Ranji Trophy vs Chhattisgarh |
| T20 Debut | 21 October 2023 | SMAT vs Jharkhand |
| List A Debut | 24 December 2025 | Vijay Hazare vs M. Pradesh |
| IPL Debut | 1 April 2026 | IPL 2026 vs Delhi Capitals |
Domestic Cricket Statistics
Here are the Domestic Statistics of Mukul Choudhary
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26
The SMAT 2025-26 season was when Mukul truly announced himself. He smashed 173 runs in 5 innings at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 198.85.
He scored an unbeaten 62 off 26 balls against Delhi with 7 sixes. His 54 against Mumbai on the day of the IPL auction turned heads.
His overall domestic T20 numbers read: 210 runs in 7 matches, average of 42.00, and strike rate of 165.35.
CK Nayudu Trophy 2025-26 (Men’s State A Trophy)
At the Under-23 level, Mukul was simply unstoppable. He topped the run charts with 617 runs at an average of 102.83.
His strike rate of 142 for a longer format showed his aggressive intent. He hit 34 sixes in the tournament, the most by any batter.
He scored back-to-back centuries: 121 against Delhi and 147* against Railways. This breakout season forced selectors to take notice.
Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy
His first-class debut didn’t go as planned. He managed only 2 runs in the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy against Chhattisgarh.
In the Ranji Trophy January 2026, he scored 24 and 28 in a draw against Himachal Pradesh. The red-ball consistency is still developing.
His Vijay Hazare Trophy debut came on 24 December 2025. He contributed 16 runs in a 132-run victory over Puducherry.
U19 International Career
Some highlights from U19 Caeer
U19 World Cup 2023 Performance
Mukul was a key part of India’s U19 World Cup 2023 campaign. He finished as one of the tournament’s top run-scorers.
He amassed 350 runs in 6 matches, including two centuries and a fifty. His strike rate across matches was 110.
In the quarter-final against Bangladesh, he scored a big century and set the record for the highest score by an Indian teenager in U19 World Cup history.
Record-Breaking Double Century
In a U19 match against Bangladesh, Mukul scored an incredible 200 runs in a single innings.
The knock included 15 fours and 6 sixes. He was awarded Player of the Match for this performance.
Cooch Behar Trophy Dominance
In the Cooch Behar Trophy 2023, Mukul scored 750 runs in 7 matches. This performance earned him the Mathur Award.
The award recognized him as one of Rajasthan’s most promising young cricketers.
IPL 2026 Journey with Lucknow Super Giants
Here is the 2026 Journey of Mukul Choudhary
Auction Drama: ₹30 Lakh to ₹2.60 Crore
The IPL 2026 mini-auction was held in Abu Dhabi on 16 December 2025. Mukul entered with a base price of just ₹30 lakh.
Rajasthan Royals opened the bidding. Mumbai Indians jumped in but dropped out at ₹90 lakh. Then LSG entered the contest.
After 28 intense bids, RR pulled out at ₹2.40 crore. LSG won Mukul for ₹2.60 crore, nearly 9 times his base price!
For context, a full Ranji Trophy season pays a young player roughly ₹15-20 lakh per year. Mukul’s IPL contract offered more than 13 times that for two months.
IPL Debut vs Delhi Capitals
Mukul made his IPL debut on 1 April 2026 against the Delhi Capitals in Lucknow. He scored 14 runs before getting out to Kuldeep Yadav.
LSG lost this match, but Mukul showed enough composure. It was just a taste of things to come.
The Magical Night at Eden Gardens (9 April 2026)
Match 15 of IPL 2026. KKR vs LSG at Eden Gardens. This is where Mukul announced himself to the world.
Chasing 182, LSG were in deep trouble at 104/5 after 13 overs. Big names like Rishabh Pant, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, and Nicholas Pooran were back in the pavilion.
At 128/7 after 16 overs, LSG needed 54 runs off 24 balls. Most had written them off. But not Mukul’s coach, Nikhil Doru.
Doru, dining at a restaurant in Udaipur, told his friends: “Mukul match jita dega” (Mukul will win this match). They laughed. They stopped laughing soon.
Mukul smashed 54* off 27 balls, including 2 fours and 7 sixes. His strike rate of 200 was pure destruction.
In the 17th over, he attacked Cameron Green with two sixes and a four. The equation came down to 14 off the last over against Vaibhav Arora.
Two massive sixes leveled the scores. A scrambled bye off the final ball completed an improbable 3-wicket victory. LSG chased down 182 on the last ball.
The winning six? A helicopter shot over extra cover, carved off a full and wide delivery. Pure MS Dhoni vibes.
Mukul fell to his knees, looked upwards, and folded his hands in gratitude. He won the Player of the Match award and dedicated it to his father Dalip.
Playing Style and Strengths
Mukul openly idolizes MS Dhoni. He has modeled his game around finishing matches calmly under pressure.
“I always liked that, and the way Dhoni finished. He used to hit a six even off a yorker. If you can hit that kind of delivery for six, the bowler thinks about doing something different.”
His helicopter shot has already drawn comparisons. “I have practiced that shot since childhood,” he says.
Six-Hitting Practice Routine
Mukul’s six-hitting ability isn’t accidental. For the last 18 months, he has practiced hitting 100-150 sixes daily.
His coach Nikhil Doru explains: “The aim of all players nowadays is to play IPL, and only those who can hit sixes can play IPL in today’s time.”
“He has a lot of strength compared to batters in his age group. Without the superb strength in his wrists and a powerful physical build, one can’t hit sixes strongly.”
Role as a Finisher
Mukul operates as an aggressive middle-order finisher. He excels at accelerating the run rate in the death overs.
His domestic T20 strike rate of 165+ shows his intent. He doesn’t just bat; he attacks from ball one.
LSG head coach Justin Langer has said Mukul has the potential to become the “scariest No. 6 or No. 7 batter in India” in the next four months.
Awards and Recognition
| Award/Recognition | Details |
|---|---|
| Player of the Match (U19) | 200 runs vs Bangladesh (15 fours, 6 sixes) |
| Mathur Award 2023 | Rajasthan’s most promising young cricketer (750 runs in 7 Cooch Behar Trophy matches) |
| IPL 2026 POTM (vs KKR) | Match-winning 54* off 27 balls (7 sixes) at Eden Gardens |
| CK Nayudu Trophy Top Scorer | 617 runs at an average of 102.83, strike rate 142 (2025-26) |
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What Lies Ahead for Mukul Choudhary
Mukul Choudhary‘s story is one of sacrifice, self-belief, and raw talent meeting opportunity at the perfect time.
From a small town in Jhunjhunu to hitting 7 sixes at Eden Gardens, his IPL 2026 journey has just begun. At 21, with a strike rate of 200 in his breakout knock, he has announced himself.
His coach, Nikhil Doru, believes he will play for India soon. Given his attitude and work ethic, that prediction might not be too far-fetched.
For now, the Lucknow Super Giants have a gem on their hands. And Indian cricket might just have found its next finisher.
