Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are set to kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad, with former cricketer Aakash Chopra endorsing Kohli as an opener for RCB due to his fitness. He also expressed confidence in Rohit Sharma’s ability but raised concerns about MS Dhoni’s age affecting his performance for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Dhoni, at 44 years old, is expected to take on wicketkeeping duties for CSK, but the addition of Sanju Samson may see him playing as an Impact Player solely for batting.
Chopra mentioned that it could be challenging for Dhoni to switch on for the IPL after a 10-month break and perform with limited opportunities to bat in the middle order. Kohli, the leading run-scorer in IPL history, has consistently delivered for RCB since the tournament’s inception. With his exceptional fitness and opening position, Chopra believes Kohli has an advantage over other players like Sharma.
Despite the tough competition, Kohli’s dedication to fitness and performance over the years has set him apart in the league, making him one of the top contenders for success in IPL 2026.
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