How team analyst persuaded LSG to buy Mukul Choudhary and why Justin Langer sees a Virat Kohli in him
In a 12-second clip shared by the Lucknow Super Giants on social media shortly past midnight on Friday, head coach Justin Langer is heard speaking to a coaching staff member. “In the next four months, I’m going to turn him into the scariest No.6-7 batter in India,” Langer says, before turning his focus on a 21-year-old Mukul Choudhary. The Rajasthan hard-hitter had made his presence felt on the IPL only a few minutes ago, starring in a sensational 182-run chase for LSG at the Eden Gardens against Kolkata Knight Riders. Marking his arrival in style with a sensational 54 not out off 27 balls, Mukul’s knock single-handedly powered LSG’s chase in the death overs, making him the first Indian batter to smash a half-century in the final five overs in an IPL innings. Young Mukul grew up in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu, where serious cricket infrastructure is hard to come by. His father, Dalip Kumar Choudhary, always wanted him to pursue the sport, but didn’t quite know how to make it happen in the beginning. Money was …
