21-year-old Mukul Chaudhary gave Lucknow a spectacular victory by hitting 7 sixes against KKR. This is the result of his hard work and the sacrifice of his father, who sold the house and also took a loan for his son’s cricket career.
Kolkata: Lucknow needed 54 runs in the last 22 balls to win against KKR on Thursday. The big batsmen of the team had returned to the pavilion. At the crease was 21 year old Mukul Chaudhary, who was playing after scoring only 2 runs on 8 balls. Most people assumed that KKR had won this match. But the six that Mukul hit on the very next ball by hitting a helicopter shot in the style of Dhoni, gave new hope not only to Mukul but also to the spectators watching the match.
After this, it rained sixes in the stadium. 21 year old Mukul gave Lucknow a spectacular victory by hitting 7 sixes and 2 fours. Mukul’s name was on everyone’s lips overnight. But for Mukul it was not just a one-day game, rather it was the result of his hard work. Mukul, a resident of Rajasthan, says, ‘I have been practicing daily for the last 5-6 months. Used to hit 100-150 sixes every day. My shots have that power. I am M.S. I have grown up watching Dhoni finish matches. Like him, he used to practice helicopter shots.
In December last year in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy against Delhi, even when 25 runs were needed in the last over, Mukul had won the match for Rajasthan. On the basis of this innings, he came to the attention of IPL teams and in the auction, Lucknow bought him for ₹ 2.60 crores.
‘If I have a son, I will make him a cricketer’, the father had dreamed!
After leading Lucknow to victory, Mukul’s father Dalip Chaudhary, while talking to a national media, recalled his struggle. He said, ‘I graduated in 2003 and got married the same year. My dream was that if I had a son, I would make him a cricketer. Ever since he was young, I made every effort to make him a cricketer and I also succeeded.
Sold house for Mukul, increased debt and also went to jail!
Father Dalip, who was ready to do anything for his son, had sent him to an academy in Jaipur at an early age. Initially Mukul used to bowl, but there was no wicketkeeper in the academy, so he decided to take up keeping. Later, on the advice of the coach, he started focusing on batting. In 2016, he joined another academy in Sikar, 70 kilometers away from home. Meanwhile, father Dalip’s financial condition started deteriorating. He had no fixed income. He decided to sell his house to pursue his son’s cricket career. Dalip says, ‘I had no income so I sold my house. Got ₹21 lakh from him. Took a loan to start a hotel next year. When he couldn’t pay, he went to jail, but I never cheated anyone.