Ruturaj Gaikwad has dedicated Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) 103-run win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in match 33 of IPL 2026 to grieving Mukesh Choudhary.
Mukesh lost his mother on Tuesday (April 22) but showcased a lion-hearted effort to turn for the El Clasico and contribute to CSK’s biggest ever win (in terms of runs). Gaikwad lauded his 29-year-old seamer for putting his personal tragedy behind him and staying committed to the team’s cause.
“Pretty tough on him [Mukesh],” Gaikwad said during the post-match presentation. “I would dedicate this win to him. Coming in from that sad situation, it takes a lot of effort mentally. He came back for the team, he knew we needed him. All glory to him. Even we spoke before… we wanted to win the game, and glad everyone chipped in and wanted to be there for him.”
Mukesh returned figures of 1/31 in his four overs at an economy rate of 7.75. He claimed the big wicket of Quinton de Kock, who had already scored a hundred this season.
Mukesh Choudhary nets big fish amid bereavement
The left-arm seamer got the breakthrough on the penultimate ball of his first over. He built the pressure on the Protea by bowling four consecutive dot balls and then made him play a false shot. Mukesh bowled a length ball outside off stump, and de Kock dragged it onto his stumps while playing with hard hands.M
Mukesh raised his fingers and looked at the heavens as if to remember his mother and dedicate the wicket to her.
Notably, this is CSK’s first-ever win of 100-plus runs. Their previous biggest win (in terms of runs) came in Chennai on April 25, 2015, when they routed Kings XI Punjab by 97 runs.This is also Mumbai’s biggest ever loss by runs. Previously, they suffered an 87-run loss to Rajasthan Royals on April 17, 2013, in Jaipur.
