A fresh match-winning finisher has burst into view in the IPL, with Mukul Choudhary turning a tense chase into a statement. The right-handed batter, who was acquired by the Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 2.6 crore at the IPL 2026 auction, delivered when it mattered most—finishing unbeaten on 54 off 27 balls. His explosive innings featured two boundaries and seven sixes as LSG successfully chased a target of 182 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Thursday, clinching the result on the very last ball.
Choudhary’s impact wasn’t just about pace or power; it was also about audacity. During his stay at the crease, he launched a memorable “helicopter shot” over long-on for a six, a strike that drew immediate attention from the broadcast. The moment even sparked remarks from former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who made a pointed reference to MS Dhoni while praising the execution.
One of the most telling sequences came when Choudhary shifted onto the leg side to manufacture space. KKR pacer Vaibhav Arora followed him with a yorker, but the batter adjusted quickly and flicked the ball away for another maximum, sailing over the long-on boundary rider. That daring improvisation was branded as the helicopter shot technique that Dhoni made famous across leagues and generations.
As the shot lit up the commentary box, du Plessis remarked on-air: “MS Dhoni, eat your heart out, the helicopter shot is back.”
After the match, Choudhary explained that his mindset during the chase was simple—stay there until the end. That plan proved decisive as Lucknow, needing 182, found themselves under pressure in the closing overs. With composure and aggression working together, he swung the game firmly in LSG’s favour, smashing key sixes late in the innings, including two in the final over, to send his team over the line.
Named Player of the Match for his unbeaten half-century, Choudhary summed up his approach: “My aim was to bat till the last and see what happens. It was only my second match. God has given me this opportunity; there can be pressure, but it is also an opportunity to make a name for myself.”
