The Rohit-Kohli Effect on Fan Attendance
Ex-India cricketer Aakash Chopra pointed out that having Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the squad would have made a big difference in crowd attendance.
Former India cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra believes the absence of star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is a key reason behind the poor ticket sales for Asia Cup matches, including the much-awaited India vs Pakistan clash in Dubai on September 14. He noted that even in cricket-loving regions like the UAE, stadiums are not filling up as expected, largely due to fans missing the presence of Kohli and Sharma.
When Virat played a Ranji Trophy match, the stadium was nearly full. Their absence now is a major reason why tickets aren’t selling," Aakash Chopra said.
Empty Stands Show the Impact of Missing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Chopra further noted that stadiums remained far from full even during matches featuring teams like Bangladesh, India, and Afghanistan. He dismissed other reasons such as high ticket prices or weekday scheduling, stressing that these were not the main factors behind the low turnout.
He underlined the huge impact Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could have had on attendance, saying that if 5,000 fans showed up earlier, the number could easily have doubled to 10,000–15,000 with their presence. Since supporters rarely get a chance to watch these legends live, their absence has made a noticeable difference.
Even without two of cricket’s biggest stars, fans are eagerly looking forward to the upcoming India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup, expecting a thrilling contest.
This situation highlights how much the presence of star athletes influences fan engagement and stadium attendance. As the Asia Cup continues, the role of big players in driving ticket sales and crowd turnout remains a major talking point among fans and experts.