Watch: “I Will Repay My Father’s Loan” – 21-year-old Rajasthan star gets emotional remembering his journey ahead of IPL 2026

The IPL 2026 mini auction saw a fierce bidding war for Rajasthan’s young wicketkeeper-batsman Mukul Choudhary. The Lucknow Super Giants secured his services for ₹2.60 crore in the Indian Premier League, a massive jump from his base price of ₹30 lakh. His value soared after he played a blistering innings in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy just hours before the auction, catching the attention of franchises.

Soon after the auction, Mukul delivered an emotional statement about his plans for the money. He said his first priority is to repay his father’s loan, as his family has faced financial struggles for years. He revealed that his father even sold their house to support his cricket journey.

The young cricketer added that he now wants to build a new home for his family and improve their financial condition. His heartfelt words reflected both gratitude and determination, turning a successful auction moment into a deeply personal milestone.

Watch the video here: 

Early Struggles and Strong Comeback

Mukul Choudhary has played only seven T20 matches so far, scoring 210 runs at an average of 42.00, including two half-centuries. He made his T20 debut for Rajasthan in 2023 but could not perform well at first and was dropped from the team. However, this year he made a strong comeback with consistent performances in domestic cricket.

Mukul comes from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan. His father, Dalip Kumar Choudhary, always dreamed that his son would become a cricketer. Even though the family faced financial problems and had limited resources, his father never gave up. He later joined the real estate and hotel business and sent Mukul to the SBS Cricket Academy in Sikar to train properly.

At the academy, Mukul started as a medium-fast bowler. But when the team needed a wicketkeeper during a match, he took up the role. That decision changed his career. Mukul later said that from that moment, there was no looking back.

Rise to the IPL and Family Support

Over the years, Mukul worked hard and moved to Jaipur to train at the Aravali Cricket Academy. His mother and younger sister shifted with him so he could focus only on cricket. He says his mother took care of everything, and his only job was to play the game. He considers MS Dhoni as his idol.

Though he struggled in his early Ranji Trophy matches, he did not lose hope. This season, he performed brilliantly in the Men’s State A Trophy, scoring 617 runs at an average of 102.83. He also impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with key innings.

His performances led to a bidding war in the Indian Premier League 2026 auction, where the Lucknow Super Giants picked him for ₹2.60 crore. Mukul said he is excited to learn and grow, but more than anything, he is happy to make his father proud.