Mukesh Choudhary with Ruturaj Gaikwad [Source: AFP]Mukesh Choudhary decimated the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) line-up with a sensational five-wicket haul. The fast bowler removed four of J&K’s top five batters in their first innings of the Irani Cup 2026 to claim figures of 5-78 from his 19 overs.After limiting the Rest of India’s deficit to just 41 runs at the halfway stage of the match, the speedster has now received a special congratulatory message from his IPL skipper and CSK’s prolific top-order batter Ruturaj Gaikwad. Ruturaj Gaikwad congratulates Mukesh Choudhary for Irani Cup five-wicket haulOn Friday, October 2, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad took to his Instagram account and shared a special message for his IPL colleague, Mukesh Choudhary.Also Read- CSK Players Who Can Be Traded After Latest AnnouncementChoudhary bowled a phenomenal spell in the Irani Cup, dismissing five key J&K players- Qamran Iqbal, Shubham Pundir, Shubham Khajuria, Paras Dogra and Kanhaiya Wadhawan. With Choudhary claiming a sensational five-wicket haul in the 2026 Irani Cup match against Jammu and Kashmir at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar, Gaikwad wrote, “Congratulations on your fifer. Still remember the days and the people who doubted your ability, but you’ve proved yourself time and time again on the highest stages!!”CREX @Crex_live Ruturaj Gaikwad’s special praise for Mukesh Choudhary! 👏 He congratulates Mukesh Choudhary and praises him for his impressive spell against Jammu & Kashmir in the ongoing Irani Cup 2026. #RuturajGaikwad #MukeshChoudhary #IraniCup2026 #CricketMatlabCREX Oct 2, 2026, 5:07 PM Will Mukesh Choudhary be retained by CSK for IPL 2027?Mukesh Choudhary played eight matches for the CSK franchise in the IPL 2026 season, but managed to collect just eight wickets at a modest bowling average of 31.12. Even during the IPL 2025 last year, the speedster held an average of 71 after picking up just a solitary wicket from his two outings.Despite his underwhelming returns for the CSK franchise in the last couple of IPL seasons, it appears that the Maharashtra fast bowler holds some goodwill with his IPL skipper and domestic teammate, Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad’s latest congratulatory message indicates that the CSK skipper still has much faith from his IPL teammate, thus making Mukesh Choudhary an ideal prospect to be retained by the franchise ahead of this year’s IPL 2027 auction. As of now, Choudhary is still fighting for the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup 2026 honours in Srinagar. Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad is currently a part of the Team India squad for their ongoing home ODI series against the West Indies.Also Read- Uncapped Spinners Who Can Block Yuzvendra Chahal's India Comeback Ambitions
