New Delhi, April 10 (NationPress) Cricketing icon Sunil Gavaskar expressed high admiration for Lucknow Super Giants' wicketkeeper-batter Mukul Choudhary and allrounder Ayush Badoni, commending their remarkable innings that were crucial in their victory over Kolkata Knight Riders, dubbing them as 'fearless prodigies'.

In a thrilling finish, LSG clinched a dramatic three-wicket win against KKR at the Edens Garden, driven by a cohesive team effort and standout performances from Badoni and Choudhary.

After KKR set a target of 181/4, LSG began their innings steadily. Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh contributed 41 runs in just four overs. However, a quick collapse ensued as Vaibhav Arora took out Markram, followed by Marsh's dismissal shortly after, dramatically shifting the momentum. At this crucial juncture, Badoni emerged with a bold 54 runs off 34 balls, featuring seven boundaries and two impressive sixes. Meanwhile, Choudhary delivered an extraordinary performance, finishing with an unbeaten 54 runs from just 27 balls.

“What an unbelievable innings from this fearless prodigy, Mukul Choudhary. The beauty of the IPL lies in the surprises it brings us each day. We recently saw David Miller from Delhi Capitals deliver a stellar performance against Gujarat Titans, but here we have Mukul Choudhary, a young talent who plays at number five for Rajasthan in domestic T20, stepping up and making headlines in his IPL debut,” Gavaskar commented on JioStar.

“The poise he displayed and the execution of his shots were a joy to behold. He entered the game when the situation was tense, showed remarkable calm, and then started sending the ball flying. His helicopter shot would surely bring back fond memories for MS Dhoni. He opted for boundaries over easy singles, showcasing his confidence in finishing the match—truly a sight to see.”

Gavaskar also highlighted Badoni’s contribution of 54 runs, deeming it significantly underrated.

“Ayush Badoni’s innings of 54 runs deserves more recognition. It was instrumental in maintaining LSG's belief. He is a skilled all-round cricketer, capable of bowling and excelling in the field, yet this season he has mainly been utilized as an impact substitute. Watching him time the ball with such precision was delightful. Although he faced challenges against Sunil Narine’s impressive spell, he thrived against the seamers, commanding the field after achieving his half-century before getting out— a potential concern for LSG.”

“However, credit must go to Ayush Badoni. He has been with the team for some time and captains Delhi in domestic cricket. His maturity is evident, and from LSG's perspective, such players are invaluable. Ultimately, your leading batters are experienced international players, and it's these fearless prodigies who need to rise to the occasion in critical moments,” he added.

Looking ahead, LSG will return to Lucknow, aiming for a third consecutive victory against the Gujarat Titans this Sunday.