As of the 19th edition of Indian Premier League Starting with Royal Challengers Bangalore taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru, the spotlight is firmly on the three modern greats. MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma – All are looking to make another strong statement this season.Former India batsman turned commentator. Akash Chopra offered an insight into what to expect from the trio, their character, appearance and potential impact in the upcoming campaign.
Chopra backed Kohli to shine again, pointing to his elite fitness level and the advantage of opening the innings. He believes that these factors give Kohli an edge over others, even when compared to Rohit Sharma.“The focus will be on Virat Kohli again because the guy is very fit. The kind of fitness he has gained over time makes him the best, because he is an opener. The same is true for Rohit Sharma, but between the two of them, I still feel that Virat Kohli has something easier just because of himself.” That, Chopra said, is the kind of price he has paid for the league and the league.At the age of 37, Kohli is the most successful batsman in IPL history, having scored 8,661 runs in 267 matches. A franchise player for RCB since 2008, he also holds the record for most runs in a season (973 in 2016) and most centuries in a tournament (8).Chopra, however, feels that the challenge is greater for Dhoni. The previous Chennai Super Kings The skipper, now on the wrong side of 40, faces the added challenge of limited playing time in the IPL, which also demands a dual role.“It’s also a bit difficult for Dhoni because he is on the wrong side of 40. For him to not play anything for 10 months, come for the IPL and switch on, and also play at a number where he only gets 10-12 balls, that’s the hardest thing to do. Then there is also 20 overs of capping, so his job is probably the toughest,” explained Chopra.On Rohit’s approach with the bat, Chopra doesn’t expect any change in intent. With Mumbai Indians full of power around the batting line-up, the onus is on to strike early.“When you are part of the batting order that Mumbai Indians have, Rohit Sharma has to set the tone. Rohit wants to bat a certain way, he has already made his opinion known. But if you are part of a setup where you have Quinton de Kock at the other end, followed by Tilak, Suriya, Hardik, Jacks or Sherford, then what other options do you need?” Maximize 20 overs, which basically means maximizing the first six overs.“
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“So, yes, Rohit will be expected to bat like that, see the ball, hit the ball; that’s what I’m thinking for the whole set-up of Mumbai Indians, unless the pitch asks you to play a different brand of cricket,” he added.With three icons at different stages of their careers, IPL 2026 promises another exciting chapter in their enduring legacy.
