Former England captain Michael Vaughan was recently put on the spot alongside former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist. The discussion revolved around a hypothetical game centered on the Indian Premier League (IPL), where Vaughan was tasked with making a crucial decision: choosing between cricket legends MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma for his ideal playing XI. The challenge required him to decide who he would play, who he would bench, and who he would sell to another franchise.

Michael Vaughan’s bold choices in IPL’s ‘play, sell or bench’ game

Without missing a beat, Vaughan declared his choice, he confidently chose to play Dhoni as captain, citing his unmatched leadership and IPL success. He decided to sell Virat, pointing out that Virat has never won the IPL, while opting to bench Rohit, noting Rohit’s six IPL titles as a reason for keeping him as Dhoni’s substitute.

“I’m playing MS Dhoni. I don’t think anyone’s been better. No (Virat doesn’t find a place). MS is the captain. He’s playing. What was the other thing? Selling? I’m getting rid of Virat. I’m getting rid of him because he’s never won the IPL. Rohit is a six-time winner. MS how many? Five! So I’m playing MS, I’m selling Virat. What was the other one? Yeah, so Rohit is my MS substitute,” said Vaughan in a Cricket.com podcast.

The former England batter further remarked that selling Kohli would bring in a substantial amount of money, making it a smart business decision.

“I can get a good load of cash for him (Kohli). He’ll go somewhere else for a huge amount of money. That’s good business,” he added.

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The IPL: A festival of cricketing superstars 

The hypothetical nature of the game sparked excitement among fans, as IPL enthusiasts always enjoy debates around their favorite players. Dhoni, captain of the Chennai Super Kings, is often hailed as one of the greatest minds in cricket, with his ability to win matches under pressure. Rohit, captain of the Mumbai Indians, holds the record for the most IPL titles along with Dhoni, having led his team to victory five times. Virat, although yet to win an IPL title with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, remains one of the most successful and admired cricketers globally, known for his aggressive style and unmatched consistency.

The IPL, celebrated like a festival in India, is one of the most popular cricket leagues in the world. Fans eagerly await each season to watch these iconic players in action. Clashes between Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are often the highlight of the tournament, with millions of viewers tuning in to witness the battle between cricket’s giants.

While Vaughan’s comments stirred conversation among cricket lovers, they also highlighted the legacy that Dhoni, Rohit, and Virat have built in the IPL. The league may be known for its thrilling matches and massive fan engagement, but it is the star power of players like these that truly makes it a global spectacle.

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