Aakash Chopra, the former India star has hailed Rajasthan Royals (RR) spinner Ravi Bishnoi due to his impressive performances in the IPL 2026. He mentioned that the injured India bowler has taken vital wickets like the one of Virat Kohli in the home match of RR against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Bishnoi picked up 2/32 in four overs in the 16 th IPL 2026 game in Guwahati on Friday, April 10, as RR restricted RCB to 201/8. When they finally attained the target with six wickets and two overs to go, Riyan Parag and his team climbed the ladder to the top of the points table, with four wins.
In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, the former Indian batsman, Aakash Chopra praised Bishnoi on how he is in the 2026 Indian Premier League, how he took the scalp of Kohli in the match on Friday.
“He had nine wickets in 11 matches last time, and has already taken nine in four. He took four wickets in the last match, and he dismissed Virat Kohli here. He is picking up the important wickets. Well done, Rajasthan. Actually, it was a steal deal. Good acquisition, and he is delivering the goods. So a massive thumbs up for Ravi Bishnoi.”
Aakash Chopra
Additionally, Chopra commended Jofra Archer for getting rid of Phil Salt with an unexpected bouncer off the opening ball of RCB’s innings.
“Jofra Archer dismissed Phil Salt on the first ball. Why does no fast bowler bowl a bouncer on the first ball? As an opener, you are never ready for a bouncer. You feel he might bowl a length ball or make it swing. A bouncer is the last thing on your mind. Archer bowled a bouncer, and Salt got out off the first ball.”
Aakash Chopra
Shimron Hetmyer skillfully caught Krunal Pandya (1 off 6) at long-off after Ravi Bishnoi dismissed Virat Kohli (32 off 16). Phil Salt (0 off 1) was caught behind by Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal (14 off 7) was caught at deep square leg by Hetmyer, and Jofra Archer recorded figures of 2/33 in three overs.
“He is absolutely gold dust” – Aakash Chopra lauds Rajat Patidar’s knock in RR vs RCB IPL 2026 clash
In the same video, Aakash Chopra discussed RCB’s batting and praised Rajat Patidar for displaying a variety of skills during his innings.
“Rajat Patidar is brilliant. He is absolutely gold dust. The way he is hitting sixes while standing in his position, he has changed the cricketing style. He is one of the best players of spin. There is no doubt about that. Maturity, clarity, conviction, and quality. If you combine all of that, I see Rajat Patidar’s knock,” he said.
The former cricket player who is now a broadcaster stated that if it weren’t for their captain’s knock, RCB might not have survived 20 overs.
‘A lot of wickets had fallen from the other end, and it seemed like the team might not be able to play 20 overs. You had to bring in Venkatesh Iyer as the Impact Player, which means you didn’t get Suyash Sharma later, but Rajat Patidar, well done,” Chopra observed.
In their IPL 2026 match against the Rajasthan Royals, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru were reduced to 94/6 after 11 overs. Before Venkatesh Iyer (29* off 15) made sure RCB reached the 200-run threshold, Rajat Patidar (63 off 40) contributed 31 runs for the seventh wicket with Romario Shepherd (22 off 11) and 41 runs for the eighth wicket with Iyer.
