Big Miss for Fans! No Kohli, Dhoni & Rohit in Key Venues During IPL 2026

The IPL 2026 has already begun generating buzz, but alongside it, there is not only an atmosphere of excitement but also a feeling of disappointment amongst the fans. Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma, among the biggest names in cricket, will not be playing at some of the iconic venues during the league stage.

According to the format, not all teams visit all locations, which has led to some unforeseen omissions. This is a big blow to fans who have spent the whole year doing their best to see their beloved stars perform live in their cities. The timetable has left loopholes that are currently emerging as a major source of discussion before the tournament.

The biggest surprise of all is that the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will not be travelling to Chennai or Kolkata in the league stage. This will deprive the fans in Chepauk and Eden Gardens of the opportunity to watch Virat Kohli play this season. This is worse for Kolkata fans, who also miss the chance to enjoy both Kohli and Dhoni on their home ground.

Talking of Dhoni, the Chennai Super Kings will not play in Kolkata this season. This further underscores his absence from Eden Gardens. Given the fact that this may be his last season in IPL, several fans in the City of Joy were wishing to watch him one more time.

In the meantime, it is also my case with Mumbai Indians fans in some cities. The reason is that Rohit Sharma will not be able to play in Bengaluru or Hyderabad during the league stage because MI does not have away matches at either venue. Chinnaswamy Stadium fans and those at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium will be deprived of the chance to watch the Hitman this season.

Our Take

Although the IPL program is aimed at maintaining balance and competition, situations like these can remind fans of how much they cherish live performances. What makes the IPL really enjoyable is watching legends like Kohli, Dhoni, and Rohit in front of crowds of thousands.

Simultaneously, this may render their performances in other venues even more exclusive. Now, with so few chances, fans will wait for these matches even more, making them even bigger.