IPL 2026: ‘Hitting sixes is not a big deal anymore’ – Virat Kohli’s advice on finishing games leaves lasting impact on Mukul Choudhary

Lucknow Super Giants middle-order batter Mukul Choudhary has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects of IPL 2026, despite his franchise failing to qualify for the playoffs. Recently, Mukul opened up about a memorable interaction with veteran batter Virat Kohli, revealing the valuable advice he received on handling pressure situations and mastering the art of finishing games in T20 cricket.

Mukul shared that Kohli had closely followed his innings against Kolkata Knight Riders and praised the composure with which he guided the chase. According to Mukul, Kohli emphasised that modern-day cricket has evolved significantly, and power-hitting alone is no longer enough to set a batter apart from the rest.

“When I spoke to him, he told me that he had watched our match against KKR and seen how I finished the game. He said that hitting sixes is not a big deal anymore. Every young batter in this generation can clear the ropes. But what really matters is learning how to finish matches,” said Mukul on JioHotstar.

Mukul further revealed that Kohli explained how the real challenge for a batter begins when pressure starts building during tricky run chases. The young batter admitted that the conversation left a lasting impact on him and completely changed the way he now approaches batting in T20 cricket.

“Anyone can hit a six when there’s no pressure, But in chases of 170 or 180, when wickets are falling at the other end and the required rate is climbing, that is when the real test begins. If you learn to handle that pressure, stay calm, and control the  innings, that is what makes you a big player. Finishing games consistently is a rare skill. He told me to focus on that, not just on hitting big shots. That advice really stuck with me,” said Mukul.

LSG will play their final league match against Punjab Kings, with the Lucknow-based franchise already eliminated from the tournament. LSG will now be playing purely for pride as they aim to end their IPL 2026 campaign on a winning note and avoid finishing near the bottom of the points table.

For PBKS, however, the contest carries massive significance. Sitting in fifth place, PBKS are in a must-win situation to keep their fading playoff hopes alive. A victory is essential if they are to stay in contention before depending on the outcome of the following day’s matches for a possible qualification scenario.