Former India opener Aakash Chopra has said that Virat Kohli is likely to struggle in the RR vs RCB match in the Indian Premier League 2026. Despite an impressive start to the 19th season, Chopra highlighted Sandeep Sharma’s threat. Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are unbeaten in IPL 2026, and the upcoming game is important for both franchises.
“Virat Kohli doesn’t have good numbers against Sandeep Sharma, and it will be one of the contests to watch out for. Kohli’s strike rate is decent, but the numbers are not excellent. Sandeep Sharma doesn’t provide pace, and that’s why Virar doesn’t prefer batting against him,” Aakash Chopra said.
In 18 innings against Sandeep, Kohli has accumulated 132 runs at a strike rate of 150 while getting out seven times. Kohli would open the innings, and the Royals are going to hand over the ball to Sandeep. While Kohli has posted 97 runs in two matches so far, Sandeep has been economical despite taking just three wickets.
Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger, the two pacers of Rajasthan, are expected to challenge the in-form batters of Bengaluru.
“Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger will not make things easy with the new ball. Phil Salt returned to form in the last match. Devdutt Padikkal has been consistent, and most of his runs have come against the Rajasthan Royals,” Chopra added.
Padikkal has hit two fifties at a strike rate of over 200 and is the team’s leading run-getter in the ongoing season. Salt has accumulated 54 runs in two innings. With several player battles on the cards, Match 16 on Friday promises to be one of the most exciting encounters, and the team that handles pressure will come on top.
While the Rajasthan Royals have won three matches and are leading the standings with six points, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are third with 4 points from two games.
