Aakash Chopra Hails Rohit Sharma's New Avatar, Urges MI To Drop Impact Player Role

Rohit Sharma hailed for fitness [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

Rohit Sharma has impressed the cricket world with a major fitness transformation ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The Mumbai Indians star reportedly lost around 11 kg in late 2025, which significantly improved his agility and overall conditioning.

Because of this transformation, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra called Rohit ‘the fittest, meanest and maybe the strongest” version of himself at the age of 38.

Aakash Chopra backs Rohit Sharma to ditch the impact role

After India’s Champions Trophy 2025 title victory, Rohit Sharma quit Test cricket and went on a physical transformation journey. He lost 11 kgs and appeared leaner and fitter than ever before.

Hence, with his newfound fitness, analyst Aakash Chopra believes the Mumbai Indians should consider playing Rohit as a full-time player in the upcoming IPL 2026 season.

"Logically, if you are fit, you should play the whole game and not be substituted. Especially when you are batting second, you shouldn't come in as an impact player. An opener is not used to watching 20 overs of the match from the dugout," Chopra said on JioStar.

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Rohit urged to be more involved in the IPL

Last IPL 2025 season, Rohit Sharma was used as an impact player, meaning he came in to bat but did not field. 

But Chopra argued that if Rohit Sharma is now fully fit, he should play the entire match instead of being used as a substitute, especially since openers prefer staying involved in the game from the start.

“Opening batters are used to staying on the field, preparing accordingly and then hitting the ground running. Rohit Sharma is the fittest, meanest and maybe the strongest at this point in time, so he should be on the ground for all 40 overs. That's actually how Mumbai Indians will be able to make full use of Rohit Sharma," he added.

That being said, the upcoming season of the IPL begins on March 28, with the Mumbai Indians starting their campaign against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.

Rohit begins practice ahead of IPL 2026

With the IPL 2026 season just days away, Rohit Sharma began his preparations in Mumbai last week. However, when Rohit arrived for the team’s training session, a large number of fans gathered outside the stadium hoping to see him. 

The crowd quickly grew so big that it became difficult for security and police to control it. Instead of letting the police use force, Rohit Sharma asked the officers to calm down and manage the crowd without hitting fans. 

A video showing him requesting the police not to use force quickly went viral on social media. Naturally, many fans praised him for showing concern for supporters even in a difficult situation.

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