‘Virat Kohli has it easier than Rohit Sharma’: Ex-India batter's explosive take
As IPL 2026 begins, cricket giants Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit Sharma are under the spotlight. Commentator Aakash Chopra believes Kohli's fitness and opening role give him an edge. He notes Dhoni faces a tougher challenge due to his age and limited recent play.
Rohit is expected to maintain his aggressive batting approach for Mumbai Indians.
As the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League kicks off with Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru, the spotlight is firmly on three modern greats — MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — all looking to make another strong statement this season. Former India batter turned commentator Aakash Chopra weighed in on what to expect from the trio, offering insights into their roles, form, and potential impact in the upcoming campaign. Chopra backed Kohli to shine once again, pointing to his elite fitness levels and the advantage of opening the innings.
He believes those factors give Kohli an edge over others, even when compared with Rohit Sharma. "The focus will be on Virat Kohli again because the guy is so fit. The kind of fitness that he has achieved over a period of time makes him the best suited, also because he is an opener.
The same is true for Rohit Sharma as well, but between the two of them, I still feel Virat Kohli has it a little easier just because of himself. That is the price he has to pay for the kind of fitness and legacy he has built," said Chopra. At 37, Kohli remains the most prolific batter in IPL history, with 8,661 runs in 267 matches.