As the IPL 2026 season progresses, the competition between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is evident both on and off the field. Despite no longer being captains of their respective franchises, their jerseys remain in high demand among fans. A comparison of official 2026 merchandise reveals varying pricing across categories like player edition, replica, and fan edition jerseys. The premium “player edition” jerseys for Rohit Sharma of Mumbai Indians are priced slightly higher than Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru jersey. In the mid-range replica segment, the price gap narrows but remains. Interestingly, the trend flips at the entry level, with the more affordable “fan edition” jersey for RCB priced higher than Mumbai Indians. This variation reflects differences in merchandising strategy and demand across price segments. Authentic jerseys are closest to on-field kits, while replicas strike a balance between quality and affordability. Franchises are pushing fans towards official channels to curb counterfeit sales, with merchandise becoming an important revenue stream for IPL teams. The continued demand for star-led jerseys highlights the commercial value of player brands even off the field.

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