"Sell Virat Kohli, Pick MS Dhoni, Bench Rohit Sharma": Cricket Greats Bold Calls Ahead Of IPL 2025

Ahead of the much anticipated mega auction for the Indian Preimer League (IPL 2025), Australia's cricket greats Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan shared their opinion on India's star cricketers. During a podcast, Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan were asked to pick the best between Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni for their hypothetical franchise.

This question is sure to stir emotions among fans. Despite the difficulty, Vaughan provided an unexpected answer.

"I'm playing MS Dhoni. I don't think anyone's been better," said Michael Vaughan during a chat with Gilchrist on the cricket.com YouTube channel. He explained his choice by highlighting Dhoni's leadership skills. "MS is a captain," he added, justifying why he picked Dhoni over Kohli.

Virat Kohli's Market Value

Vaughan decided to 'sell' Virat Kohli, citing that Kohli has never won the IPL. In contrast, Rohit Sharma has six titles, and MS Dhoni has five. Vaughan mentioned that Rohit would be on the bench as a backup for Dhoni. Gilchrist noted that selling Kohli could bring significant financial gain for any franchise.

"You'll get a good price for Virat," remarked Gilchrist, to which Vaughan responded, "It's good business." He elaborated that Kohli would fetch a substantial sum elsewhere. Surprisingly, Gilchrist concurred with Vaughan's assessment.

IPL Auction Speculations

The upcoming IPL mega auction for the 2025 season has sparked much speculation about retention rules. Whether MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli will remain with their current teams is uncertain. Reports suggest Chennai Super Kings' decision on Dhoni depends on retention allowances.

Gilchrist acknowledged the complexity of such decisions: "I think that's well thought through. You're splitting hairs; it's a tough call on all, but that's the job of a manager." The conversation highlights the strategic considerations franchises face in player management.

The discussion between these cricket icons sheds light on the intricate decisions involved in team selection and player retention strategies in the IPL context.