Mukul Choudhary Shares Priceless Finishing Advice from Virat Kohli

A Mentor in the Arena: The Kohli-Choudhary Connection

In the high-octane environment of the Indian Premier League, the ability to learn from the giants of the game often separates promising youngsters from future superstars. For Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) batter Mukul Choudhary, the IPL 2026 season has been defined by more than just his own explosive performance; it has been marked by a profound interaction with one of cricket’s modern-era legends, Virat Kohli.

The Lesson Beyond the Sixes

While the M Chinnaswamy Stadium witnessed a five-wicket victory for Royal Challengers Bengaluru over LSG on April 17, the real story unfolded behind the scenes. Following the conclusion of the match, Kohli took a moment to share his wisdom with the young Choudhary. The core of Kohli’s message was simple yet transformative: in an era where power-hitting has become a baseline requirement, the true mark of a great player is the ability to anchor an innings and finish the game when the stakes are highest.

Reflecting on the exchange in a video shared by Star Sports, Choudhary recalled, “He told me that it is important to finish the game. Nowadays, everyone hits sixes in this generation. He told me that I should finish the game the way I finished the game the other day against KKR.”

Mastering the Art of the Anchor

Kohli’s advice focused specifically on composure. The former Indian captain emphasized that hitting sixes is a skill possessed by many, but the ability to remain calm when wickets are falling at the other end is what separates the good from the great. Kohli encouraged the 21-year-old to hold one end steady, managing the run rate while providing stability to the team’s total.

“In a match of 170-180 runs, if the wicket falls from one side, and if you learn how to anchor and keep the one side, you will become a great player. He told me this,” Choudhary added. This guidance serves as a blueprint for the young batter, who has previously looked up to MS Dhoni for his finishing prowess and signature helicopter shots.

The Rise of a Young Finisher

Mukul Choudhary first burst into the national spotlight on April 9, when he played a defining role in a last-ball thriller against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. Under extreme pressure, the youngster displayed fearless intent, smashing an unbeaten 54 off just 27 deliveries, punctuated by seven massive sixes. That performance not only captivated the audience but also drew high praise from LSG head coach Justin Langer, who identified Choudhary as a potential future star for Indian cricket.

Throughout the 2026 campaign, Choudhary has shown flashes of this brilliance, accumulating 169 runs across 9 innings with a strike rate of 144.44. While he continues to find his consistency, the technical and mental framework provided by Kohli is expected to play a critical role in his development.

Looking Ahead

As Choudhary continues his journey in the IPL, the advice from Kohli stands as a cornerstone of his professional growth. In a sport that often celebrates the loud, explosive moments, the quiet realization that ‘finishing’ is an intellectual exercise as much as a physical one could be the missing piece for the young LSG batter. With his natural power and a newfound emphasis on tactical anchoring, Choudhary is positioning himself to be a vital asset for his franchise in the seasons to come.

The interaction highlights a beautiful aspect of the IPL: the mentorship that exists between veteran icons and the next generation, ensuring that the legacy of high-level cricket continues to evolve with each passing match.