After witnessing the extraordinary performance of Indian cricket legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the first and second matches of IPL 2026, respectively, many fans and cricket analyst has said: “Ro-Ko still got the touch.”Both of these individuals showcased extraordinary performances with aggressive shots and innings that helped their individual franchise to win the match. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepped into the stadium as openers, and both scored half-centuries with a strike rate of more than 150 each.
Seeing the aggression of both of these retired Indian legends, former Indian cricketer and analyst Aakash Chopra stated that “Ro-Ko is still here”. Despite retiring from T20 cricket after the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma only play IPL in the T20 format. Despite such a big gap, both of the players started their campaign in IPL 2026 with aggressive half-centuries.
Statement made by Akash Chopra
After last night's match between MI and KKR, the Mumbai Indians dominated the match with aggressive batting. Aakash Chopra renowned cricket analyst in India, uploaded a social media post praising the aggressiveness of both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He said, “These legends are not even playing T20 cricket regularly, even playing one-day international after breaks of like 2 to 3 months, yet the performance from both of these cricketers is extraordinary”. He further said, “Virat Kohli has adapted to an extra aggressive style that gives a boost to RCB while Rohit Sharma is now more fit and linear playing with an intensity to dominate.”
They have the ability to keep the scoreboard running with aggressive shots and running between the wickets allow them to keep up their strike rate. Both of these players are being very useful for their respective franchises.
Virat Kohli with an aggressive stance
The aggression of Virat Kohli is clearly visible when he accelerated the innings with instant maximum and high shots. Virat Kohli is always praised for his extraordinary running between the wickets and keeping the scoreboard running; however, he has now adapted to a more aggressive style, resulting in using more maximums and fours.
In the very first match of IPL 2026, Virat Kohli scored a total of 68 runs in just 38 balls. stabbed in on the field as an opener and scored a total of 69 runs, including 5 maximums and 5 fours. Virat Kohli played the inning with a strike rate of 181.6 along with his opening partner Phil Salt. The aggression of Virat Kohli and the ability to shift the momentum of the innings instantly are what make him the backbone of the RCB franchise.
Fitter and leaner Rohit Sharma
One of the major concerns for Rohit Sharma and the last year's IPL season is his uncertain form and fitness issues. The fitness issues of Rohit Sharma were one of the biggest problems for the Mumbai Indians as he was not playing the full matches and was constantly playing as an impact substitute.
However, in IPL 2026, Rohit Sharma made a drastic change in his fitness and managed to get leaner and fitter. In the first match of IPL 2026 against KKR, Rohit Sharma played as a proper player. After fielding for the full 20 overs, he then stepped in on the field as an opener and played a knock of 78 runs in just 38 balls.
Rohit Sharma played the inning with a strike rate of 205.3, including 6 fours and 6 sixes. His ability to hit aggressive shots from the very first ball made him a reliable asset for the Mumbai Indians campaign. Rohit Sharma had an opening partnership of 148 runs with Ryan Rickelton.
Bahut Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the pillars of Indian cricket who have served Team India for a very long time in multiple formats. After retiring from both T20 and test cricket, the only T20 format both of these players play is in the IPL. Both these players are playing T20 cricket after almost a year, and the form they have shown is magnificent. The aggressive start and their ability to accelerate are essential, and both of these players are the backbone of their individual franchise. It will be exciting to witness the class of these Indian legends in the upcoming matches of IPL.
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