Mukul Choudhary’s sensational match-winning knock for Lucknow Super Giants against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026 had several standout moments, but one shot in particular grabbed widespread attention — the iconic “helicopter shot.” Facing pacer Vaibhav Arora in the 17th over, the 21-year-old unleashed a clean strike over long-on for six, instantly drawing comparisons to MS Dhoni, who popularised the shot during his international career.
The moment didn’t go unnoticed in the commentary box either. Former Chennai Super Kings opener Faf du Plessis, clearly impressed, couldn’t resist a light-hearted remark. “MS Dhoni, eat your heart out! The helicopter shot is back,” he said, capturing the excitement around the stroke.
Choudhary, who smashed an unbeaten 54 off 27 balls to guide LSG to a dramatic last-ball win, later revealed that Dhoni has been a major inspiration in his journey.
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“I always look up to MS Dhoni because I am also a finisher,” he said on JioHotstar. He spoke about admiring Dhoni’s ability to close out games under pressure. “His helicopter shot, which is very iconic, is my favourite,” he added, also recalling Dhoni’s legendary leadership during India’s 2011 World Cup triumph.
Beyond the glamour of IPL success, Choudhary’s story is deeply rooted in sacrifice and determination. Coming from a modest background in Rajasthan, he shared how his father played a pivotal role in shaping his cricketing journey. Cricket was always close to his father’s heart, but financial limitations meant he could not pursue it professionally.
“It was my father’s dream to play cricket at a big level,” Mukul Choudhary said. He explained that despite financial struggles, his father was determined to see his son succeed in the sport. “Our family condition did not allow him to play cricket professionally,” he added, reflecting on the challenges they faced.
In a defining moment for the family, his father made a life-altering decision. While preparing for the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) and working as a college teacher, he realised he could not pursue both his career ambitions and his son’s cricket dream simultaneously.
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“He understood that either he can prepare for RAS or he can make me play cricket professionally,” Mukul Choudhary said. Choosing his son’s future, his father gave up his own aspirations, took up property work to earn money, and eventually enrolled Mukul in the SBS Cricket Academy in Sikar when he turned 12.
That sacrifice is now beginning to pay off, as Mukul Choudhary’s fearless batting and composure under pressure mark him as one of IPL 2026’s most exciting emerging stars.
