In an absolutely massive knock coming in the back end of their chase against the Lucknow Super Giants when playing at the Eden Gardens on Thursday, April 9, Mukul Choudhary blitzkrieged past the visiting side to resource trophy- home.
Chasing a tricky 182-run target, Lucknow found themselves in deep trouble at the end of the 16th over at 128/7. While Choudhary did the bulk scoring from one end, he was well complemented at the other end by his partner — Avesh Khan. Choudhary had only faced six balls by then and 54 runs were needed off the last four overs.
Still, he reserved his best efforts for with the bat in the following overs, where he racked up an unbeaten 54 from 27 deliveries to guide his team over the line. In his epic knock, he struck two fours and seven sixes.
Star Sports posted a video of Choudhary expressing his affection for MS Dhoni in the aftermath of his heroic endeavour on social media. He also credits the former India captain with popularizing his own helicopter shot. Choudhary himself played a helicopter shot in the 17th over which sailed over long-on comfortably.
“I have always seen MS Dhoni because I was a keeper. I am a keeper. So I have grown up seeing him, the helicopter shot he plays. The 2011 World Cup always keeps playing (in my head). I remember everything,” the 21-year-old batter said.
Choudhary went on to say that he looks up to the Chennai Super Kings star and aspires to be a finisher like Dhoni.
“He has been my role model. I am also a finisher; I want to be like him and finish games like him. So he is my role model,” the Rajasthan batter said.
After Choudhary and Avesh slipped in a bye, Lucknow ultimately won the game off the final ball. For Rishabh Pant’s team, this was their second consecutive victory. But after four games, the Knight Riders are still without a victory in the 2026 IPL.
