![Prashant Veer and MS Dhoni [Source: screengrab, AP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1788511212106_Prashant_Veer.jpg?type=hq)
Prashant Veer and MS Dhoni [Source: screengrab, AP]
Prashant Veer seems to be on a mission to prove himself as the next ‘MS Dhoni’ for the CSK franchise. Mere days after perfectly imitating the legend’s iconic ‘helicopter shot’, the 20-year-old has now unleashed a cracking half-century for his side in the UP T20 2026 season.
Leading the Noida Kings at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, Veer smashed an unbeaten 58 off just 28 balls, including five boundaries and four scorching sixes. Notably, the youngster scored 27 of those runs in the space of just six deliveries in the final over of the Kings’ innings, reminiscent of MS Dhoni’s finishing fury from his prime years.
Prashant Veer becomes MS Dhoni, again!
Noida Kings, led by captain Prashant Veer, batted first and charted 154-6 in 20 overs against the Kashi Rudras in the first eliminator of the UP T20 2026 season.
The skipper himself top-scored in the innings with his unbeaten 58-run knock from just 28 balls with five boundaries and four huge sixes. Facing Rishabh Rajput in the final over of the innings at 127-6, Veer smashed the pacer for three successive sixes and two boundaries to extract 27 runs off six deliveries.
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Before the start of the over, the 20-year-old was batting at 31* off 22 balls before racing to his fifty from just 26 balls with a sizzling boundary.
Watch the video below:
Veer’s thunderous effort in the UP T20 2026 season occurred at a perfect time for the CSK franchise, as the management seeks life beyond MS Dhoni in the IPL.
It is worth noting that former captain Dhoni has unleashed numerous such finishing acts for CSK during his prime years. However, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter is currently nearing his retirement at a battle-hardened age of 45.
When Prashant Veer pulled off MS Dhoni’s ‘helicopter’
Just a few days ago during the ongoing UP T20 2026 season, Veer pulled off a near-perfect ‘helicopter shot’, as trademarked by CSK legend and former Indian captain MS Dhoni.
Taking on Kanpur Superstars fast bowler Ajay Kumar at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, the youngster bludgeoned 50* off just 27 balls with three boundaries and five huge sixes, including one towards his left side with a brutal ‘helicopter’ hit.
What options do CSK have if MS Dhoni retires?
While Prashant Veer may have proven himself as an ideal replacement candidate for MS Dhoni, the CSK management will still look to find a long-term middle-order batting solution instead of relying on a bowling all-rounder.
Fortunately for CSK fans, Dewald Brevis has gained form in T20Is and was magnificent in the 3 T20Is that he played in the Namibia T20I Tri Series. In the 3 innings, he has scored 191 runs at a strike rate of 175.23. Apart from him, Jamie Overton is another asset that CSK could bank on for finishing the innings.
With Dhoni nearing his retirement, the CSK franchise must target fellow experienced and hard-hitting middle-order batters like Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya, should their respective owners agree for a possible trade.
The franchise has already expressed its interest in acquiring Pandya, before the negotiations fell through following the cricketer’s captaincy demand.
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