‘Who will field if everyone comes in white?’ – Aakash Chopra concerned over RCB fans’ white jersey tribute plan for Virat Kohli

In observance of Virat Kohli, who declared his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, fans at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium are reportedly preparing to don white jerseys or t-shirts during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) IPL 2025 match.

Aakash Chopra, a former cricketer for India, believes that this will complicate matters, particularly for the fielders who are trying to see the white ball. In instead of wearing white jerseys or t-shirts, the cricket player-turned-commentator proposed that the supporters don the No. 18 RCB jersey, which has become iconic due to Kohli.

“There have also been reports of a large sale of white T-shirts. Such a strategy has been devised to say goodbye to Virat Kohli as his Test career comes to an end. In a video that was posted to his YouTube account, Chopra stated, “I am saying do it thoughtfully because the ball will get lost in white T-shirts.”

“Wear the RCB shirt, get Kohli inscribed behind it, and never lose sight of the tricolour. If everyone wears white, then who will field? When making a catch, the ball will strike the face. The crowd will lose sight of the ball. Therefore, just exercise a bit extra caution,” he continued.

Aakash Chopra draws attention to the RCB’s selection dilemma.

Chopra stated that if RCB want to employ injured Devdutt Padikkal in the playoffs, they should start Mayank Agarwal at number three against KKR. The 47-year-old believed that the Rajat Patidar-led team would fare well in the final stages of the competition if Agarwal could find some form.

“From RCB’s perspective, they need to respond to two questions. The first is: who will take Devdutt Padikkal’s place? Mayank Agarwal is still on the team. If you see him playing in the playoffs, you should definitely play him in this match. To avoid form problems as you are nearing the playoffs, play him the game, get him to score runs, and get him in form,” he stated.

Additionally, Chopra believes that Patidar might be moved to No. 3 and all-rounder Manoj Bhandage used in the lower-middle order by RCB.

“In the playoffs, you ought to make an effort to play the team you wish to field. Additionally, the batting order that was seen wasn’t that horrible. Following Virat Kohli with Phil Salt, there was Rajat Patidar at number three, Jitesh Sharma at number four, Tim David at number five, Romario Shepherd at number six, and Krunal Pandya. Manoj Bhandage would then need to remain on the team. You can also decide to proceed in that direction,” Chopra said.

He proposed the idea of playing Sri Lankan seamer Nuwan Thushara in league games in place of Lungi Ngidi as the latter is not going to be available in the playoffs due to national commitments. Chopra feels that if Thushara is given game-time in the round-robin phase, it will help him in the playoffs if Josh Hazlewood doesn’t return.

“When I look at it from the bowling perspective, Lungi Ngidi is there for now. He picked up wickets in the last match against CSK, but since he is not going to be there in the playoffs, and you don’t know about Josh Hazlewood, think about Nuwan Thushara, or else, when will you play him? I think the four overseas will be Phil Salt, Tim David, Romario Shepherd and Lungi Ngidi/Nuwan Thushara,” he elaborated.