Lucknow Super Giants youngster Mukul Choudhary has opened up on handling the mental demands of the IPL, revealing that the pressure of performing under constant scrutiny is far greater than anything he experienced while playing domestic cricket.
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Mukul has impressed with his composure and fearless batting in the middle order despite limited experience at the highest level. He has been one of the positives for LSG in what has turned out to be a disappointing campaign.
On his transition to the IPL, the young batter said the scale of the tournament brings a unique kind of pressure for newcomers.
“There is more mental pressure in the IPL because more people are watching you. In some ways, things
are easier here because you know the opposition bowlers, their strengths, and their plans. You have video analysis and data to prepare. In domestic cricket, you don’t have all that,” Mukul told JioHotstar.
While IPL offers players access to better preparation and analysis, Mukul says the challenge lies in dealing with the expectations and intensity thanks to the tournament’s massive audience.
“But the pressure comes from performing on a big stage in front of a huge audience, especially when you are new to the IPL. There is a little mental pressure. But if you stay calm and stick to your processes, it becomes manageable here too,” he said.
Mukul, who made his IPL debut against Delhi Capitals, says he had not expected to feature in the playing XI.
“I had no idea I would play the first match. I wasn’t fully prepared for it. When I was told I might get a chance, and then finally that I was in the playing XI, my reaction was simple: ‘Yes, I am playing’,’ he recalled.
The youngster credited his preparation during training camps and practice matches for helping him stay mentally ready whenever an opportunity arrived.
“Mentally, I was ready because I knew I had to do my job. You can’t worry about when the opportunity will come. It can come at any time. So I kept preparing,” Mukul added.
While he may have made an instant impact in maiden season, Mukul admits that adapting to the atmosphere of an IPL game, packed stadiums, television cameras and live broadcasts, was initially overwhelming. However, he has since settled into the environment.
“When I walked out for the real game, I didn’t feel much difference. The only new things were the crowd, the cameras, and being on live television. That created a little pressure, but it was manageable. I was ready for it,” he said.
