Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (Image Agency) As the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League kicks off when Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru, the focus is firmly on three modern day greats – MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – all looking to make another strong statement this season.Former India commentator Aakash Chopra weighed in on what to expect from the trio and offered insight into their roles, form and potential impact in the upcoming campaign.
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Kids coach Virat Kohli made a big announcement about ODI World Cup 2027 Chopra backed Kohli to shine again, pointing to his elite fitness and the advantage of opening the innings. He believes these factors give Kohli an edge over others, even compared to Rohit Sharma.“We will focus again on Virat Kohli because the guy is so fit. The kind of fitness he has achieved over a period of time makes him the best fit, also because he is an opener. The same goes for Rohit Sharma, but between the two of them, I still feel that Virat Kohli has it a little bit easier, just for his own sake. That is the price he has to pay for the fitness and the legacy that Chopra has built.At 37, Kohli remains the most prolific batsman in IPL history with 8,661 runs in 267 matches. One franchise player for RCB since 2008 and also holds the record for most runs in a single season (973 in 2016) and highest number of centuries (8) in the tournament.However, Chopra feels the challenge is steeper for Dhoni. The former Chennai Super Kings captain, now on the wrong side of 40, faces the added difficulty of limited playing time leading up to the IPL along with a demanding dual role.“It’s also a bit difficult for Dhoni because he’s on the wrong side of 40. The hardest thing for him is not playing anything for 10 months, turning on the IPL and turning on and also playing at a number where he only gets 10-12 balls. Then there’s also 20 overs, so his job is perhaps the hardest,” Chopra said.As Rohit approaches with the bat, Chopra doesn’t expect any change of heart. With a packed Mumbai Indians batting line-up around him, the onus of timely attack remains crucial.“When you’re part of the batting order that Mumbai Indians have, it’s mandatory to set the tone for Rohit Sharma. Rohit wants to bat a certain way. He’s already made his point very public. But if you’re part of a line-up where Quinton de Kock is at the other end, followed by Tilak, Surya, Hardik, what else is there to Maximize, Jacks, Dhir and Youman Ruther? 20 overs, which basically means maximizing the first six overs.”
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“So yes, Rohit would be expected to bat the same way, see the ball, hit the ball; that’s what I think about the whole Mumbai Indians set-up, unless the pitch wants you to play a slightly different brand of cricket,” he added.With three icons at different stages of their careers, IPL 2026 promises to be another fascinating chapter in their enduring legacy.
