Aakash Chopra backs Kohli for IPL season over Dhoni and Rohit; Karnataka MLAs get two IPL 2026 tickets

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has confirmed that every elected politician will receive two tickets each for the IPL 2026 opener at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, where Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The decision comes after complaints from MLAs and MPs about the lack of VIP tickets for the first match of the new season.

“Four tickets can’t be given. So, every MLA, MP and minister used to get one seat each. Now, we have requested them to give two tickets if family members go. For tomorrow’s first match, they will get two tickets. For the next match, we will discuss later,” Shivakumar told the press.

The dispute arose after Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader instructed the government to ensure every MLA receives four VIP tickets at Chinnaswamy Stadium, following claims that members were treated with “disrespect” by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which manages the venue. Opposition leader Tejasvi Surya criticised the demand on social media, accusing MLAs of prioritising personal perks over legislative responsibilities.

Meanwhile, cricket expert Aakash Chopra has backed Virat Kohli to be the standout performer in IPL 2026, ahead of veterans MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, citing Kohli’s fitness, consistency, and role as an opener. Kohli was pivotal in RCB’s title-winning campaign last year, scoring 657 runs at a strike rate of 144.71, including eight fifties.

“The focus will be on Virat Kohli again because the guy is so fit. Yes, there are gaps between series and he felt the pinch of those gaps in Australia, but once he started scoring runs, he found a way to be super consistent for months,” Chopra said. He added that while Rohit Sharma will continue his aggressive approach at the top of the order, Dhoni may face challenges due to his age and limited opportunities in the IPL batting lineup.

Chopra noted that Rohit’s role in the Mumbai Indians’ setup is crucial for setting the tone in the first six overs, especially when batting alongside players like Quinton de Kock, Tilak Varma, Surya Kumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Will Jacks, Sherfane Rutherford, and Naman Dhir.

With the IPL 2026 opener set to kick off at Chinnaswamy Stadium, attention will be divided between political ticket controversies and the performances of cricket’s biggest stars, particularly Kohli, Rohit, and Dhoni.