Chandigarh, APRIL 13 — The ongoing IPL 2026 season has witnessed a significant tactical pivot by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, as both veterans have traded their steady accumulation styles for a “slambang” approach. Former opener Aakash Chopra noted this change as a crucial evolution for two of the game’s most decorated figures.
According to Chopra, the statistical leap in their strike rates—now consistently exceeding 150—marks a departure from the more conservative “anchoring” roles they played between 2020 and 2023. He asserted that the legends are now maximizing the powerplay overs to align with the high-scoring trends of the current season.
“It almost feels like they are driving a Ferrari now,” Chopra declared, comparing their current speed at the crease to high-performance machinery. He stated that the mindset shift has seen Kohli striking at nearly 180, a sharp rise from his 144 strike rate in the previous year.
The transformation is particularly evident in Rohit Sharma’s performance for the Mumbai Indians. Despite stepping down from national T20 duties, Rohit has maintained a strike rate near 170 this season. Experts affirmed that improved fitness and a clear definition of his role as an explosive opener alongside South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton have been pivotal to his resurgence.
The state of modern T20 cricket, characterized by batter-dominated conditions, has made strike rate more relevant than total runs alone. Chopra affirmed that Kohli and Rohit’s willingness to “switch gears” late in their careers has ensured they remain the primary focus of the 2026 season, proving that even the most established stars must evolve to sustain relevance.
