Young wicketkeeper-batter reveals his obsession with power-hitting, Dhoni-inspired helicopter shots, and fearless finishing after match-winning knock against KKR
New Delhi: A fearless young batter, a pressure-packed chase, and a finish worthy of the biggest stage — 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Mukul Chaudhary announced himself in spectacular fashion during IPL 2026 with a sensational unbeaten innings that powered Lucknow Super Giants to a dramatic five-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.
The Rajasthan-born batter smashed an unbeaten 54 off just 27 balls, hammering seven towering sixes and two boundaries in a breathtaking counterattack that transformed a difficult chase into a memorable triumph. With Lucknow needing seven runs off the final two deliveries against pacer Vaibhav Arora, Mukul produced a stunning six off the penultimate ball before calmly taking a single on the last delivery to seal victory.
What made the moment even more special was the style of the winning assault. Mukul’s first six in the innings came through a trademark helicopter shot — a stroke famously associated with his childhood idol, former India captain MS Dhoni.
Speaking after the match, Mukul revealed that his six-hitting ability is the product of relentless practice and natural strength.
“I practice hitting 100 to 150 sixes every single day. It improves bat speed and builds confidence. I have been working extremely hard over the last five to six months, and now power-hitting has become an important part of my game,” he said.
The youngster admitted that he had been practicing the helicopter shot since childhood while trying to emulate Dhoni’s finishing style.
“I have practiced that helicopter shot since I was a child. I always loved the way Dhoni bhai used to finish matches. He could even hit yorkers for sixes. When you manage to hit such deliveries out of the ground, bowlers start thinking differently under pressure,” Mukul explained.
The innings was not just about power; it was also a display of composure and self-belief. Mukul said he always believed that if he stayed till the end, he could guide his side home.
“My plan was simple — stay till the last over. I had confidence that if I remained at the crease, I could finish the game for my team. When we needed seven runs from two balls, I knew one ball would eventually come into my hitting arc, and I had to send it over the boundary,” he recalled.
Interestingly, Mukul revealed that this was his first six in the IPL, making the moment even more emotional for the young batter.
Born and raised in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, Mukul’s cricket journey has been one of struggle, sacrifice, and persistence. He shared an emotional story about his father’s dream of seeing his son become a cricketer even before he himself got married.
“Our family’s financial condition was not very strong initially. I started playing cricket seriously around the age of 12 or 13. There were not many cricket academies in Jhunjhunu, so I shifted to Jaipur. Later, I realized how rapidly T20 cricket was evolving and moved to Gurugram to improve further,” he said.
Mukul described a turning point in his career during an Under-19 match against Uttar Pradesh. In a low-scoring encounter, his valuable innings convinced his father that he had the potential to become a big player.
He also recalled playing under floodlights for the first time and learning how to deal with pressure situations.
“Pressure is always there in cricket, but I see it as an opportunity rather than fear. I feel fortunate that God has given me this platform, and I always try to make the most of my abilities,” Mukul added.
Lucknow Super Giants had invested heavily in the young batter, buying him for ₹2.60 crore ahead of IPL 2026. The franchise management clearly saw enormous potential in him, especially head coach Justin Langer, who had boldly claimed that Mukul could become “India’s most dangerous No. 6 or No. 7 batter within four months.”
Mukul said those words from a legendary coach significantly boosted his confidence.
“When a coach like Justin Langer says something like that about you, it means he has seen something special in your game. His faith gave me tremendous confidence. During practice sessions, he spends 10 to 15 minutes with me every day. I have benefited immensely from his guidance,” Mukul said.
Langer, meanwhile, was full of praise for the youngster after the thrilling win.
“I genuinely believe Mukul Chaudhary can reach incredible heights. He is still very young, but there is a different spark in his eyes. He has hunger, ambition, and the desire to achieve something special. This innings could become a life-changing moment in his career,” the Lucknow coach said.
Lucknow captain Rishabh Pant was equally impressed and described Mukul’s innings as extraordinary.
“I cannot put Mukul’s innings into words. One thing I truly believe is that when you show faith in a player, he can produce miracles. With every game, Mukul is showing signs that he is capable of doing something special,” Pant said.
Pant also praised middle-order batter Ayush Badoni, describing him as one of the senior members of the side despite his young age. He said the management had entrusted Badoni with a specific role and expected him to continue contributing in pressure situations.
The Lucknow skipper also highlighted the importance of experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami in the squad.
“Shami may not be getting younger, but his experience is priceless for us. Having someone like him in the dressing room is extremely valuable. Our entire bowling unit has been performing brilliantly,” Pant added.
Mukul’s sensational innings has now made him one of the most talked-about young cricketers of IPL 2026. His fearless approach, explosive hitting, and ability to finish games under pressure have drawn comparisons with some of India’s finest white-ball finishers.
More importantly, his rise reflects the growing depth of Indian T20 cricket, where young talents from smaller towns are rapidly making their mark on the biggest stage.
From practicing hundreds of sixes every day to executing a Dhoni-style helicopter shot in a high-pressure IPL finish, Mukul Chaudhary’s journey is rapidly becoming one of the breakout stories of the season.
For Lucknow Super Giants, the thrilling victory strengthened their campaign. For Mukul Chaudhary, it may well have been the innings that changed his career forever.
