KOLKATA – In a season already defined by high-octane finishes, 21-year-old Mukul Choudhary etched his name into IPL folklore on Thursday night, channeling his idol MS Dhoni to pull off an improbable “heist” at Eden Gardens.
With Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) reeling at 128/7 in the 16th over while chasing 182, the match appeared firmly in Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) grasp. However, the young wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan produced a breathtaking unbeaten 54 off just 27 balls, including a signature “helicopter shot,” to secure a three-wicket victory on the final ball of the game.
The Rise of a New Finisher
Choudhary, a self-confessed admirer of MS Dhoni, admitted after the match that he has always modeled his game on the legendary former Indian captain.
“I have always followed Dhoni Sir because I am a wicketkeeper like him,” Choudhary said. “I remember watching his helicopter shot as a kid during the 2011 World Cup. He is my role model, and I want to become a finisher like him.”
The Rajasthan-born cricketer, who was snapped up by LSG for ₹2.6 crore at the 2026 auction, lived up to his price tag in spectacular fashion. After a slow start—managing just two runs from his first eight deliveries—he exploded to score 52 runs off the next 19 balls, striking at a staggering rate of 273.
Death Over Carnage
The turnaround began in the 17th over when Choudhary took on Vaibhav Arora, hammering a four and a six. The momentum shifted completely in the 18th over as he launched two massive sixes off Kartik Tyagi.
The penultimate over saw Choudhary dismantle Cameron Green, smashing two sixes and a boundary to bring the target within reach. In a moment that sent the crowd into a frenzy, Choudhary even summoned the “helicopter shot” to clear the ropes, prompting commentator Faf du Plessis to exclaim, “Eat your heart out, M.S. Dhoni!”
Match Summary: KKR vs LSG
| Team | Score | Top Performers |
| KKR | 181/4 (20) | Ajinkya Rahane (41), Rovman Powell (39*) |
| LSG | 182/7 (20) | Mukul Choudhary (54)*, Ayush Badoni (54) |
Result: Lucknow Super Giants won by 3 wickets.