Mukesh Choudhary goes down memory lane after a win over MI

A lot of eyebrows were raised over Mukesh Choudhary’s place in the Chennai Super Kings’ playing XI amid the fast bowler’s average show in his first few assignments. However, the defending champions continued to back the pacer and the 25-year-old finally repaid the trust on Thursday (April 21). Choudhary spitted venom with the new ball and dismissed both Mumbai Indians openers – Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan – for ducks in the very first over of the game.

He then sent Dewald Brevis back in the third over, tightening CSK’s grip over the game. The left-arm speedster finished with figures of 3/19 in three overs and the four-time champions clinched the contest by three wickets in a last-ball thriller. For his terrific spell, Choudhary was adjudged the Player of the Match.

I just want to have a good time and enjoy myself: Mukesh Choudhary

Needless to mention, Choudhary was pleased with his performance as he went down the memory lane and recalled his hardships. “I never thought I’d play cricket. Was at boarding school in Pune, we had an hour’s sports period and I used to play all kinds of sports there. Tried playing cricket and seemed to be good at it,” said the young pacer at the post-match presentation.

“Have to bowl well in the powerplay where I’m supposed to bowl three overs. There is no pressure actually, to play with such big players around you automatically takes all the pressure away. I just want to have a good time and enjoy myself,” he added.

It must be noted that Choudhary is filling shoes of none other than Deepak Chahar, who has been CSK’s main bowler in recent years and bagged a whopping INR 14 crore during this season’s mega auction. However, injury issues meant CSK won’t be able to avail his services in IPL 2022. Hence, Choudhary is all but likely to get a long run and he must make full use of the opportunity.