IPL 2022, CSK vs MI | Never thought I’d play cricket, reveals Mukesh Choudhary

Mukesh Choudhary, the 25-year-old left-arm uncapped Indian, has evolved himself into a regular starter for Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. He was in the spotlight against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday (April 21) when he dismissed Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan in the opening over of the contest at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy.

Choudhary, in the third over, then got rid of Dewald Brevis to complete a three-wicket haul early. He bowled three overs in the Powerplay, returning excellent figures of 3-19 to be fittingly adjudged Player of the Match at the end of the game.

While speaking at the post-match presentation, the left-arm pacer revealed how he started playing cricket, which was never in his mind initially. “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,” Choudhary said at the post-match presentation.

Choudhary has been a regular in CSK’s playing XI largely due to the absence of INR 14-crore signing Deepak Chahar, who is ruled out of the season due to an injury. The uncapped Indian is doing reasonably good as a backup, and he felt the same as well. “Have to bowl well in the powerplay where I'm supposed to bowl three overs,” he added.

“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.”

With two wins in seven matches, the CSK, led by Ravindra Jadeja, sit at ninth on the points table. They will next meet Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Monday (April 25) at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.