Mohammad Kaif says he would put Jasprit Bumrah ahead of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in IPL auction

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif reckons India’s gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is likely to fetch more money in an IPL auction than Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma if the three players are put into the auction. Bumrah has performed consistently over the years for the Mumbai Indians and has played an instrumental role in the success of the franchise.

The ace pacer has scalped 183 wickets in 145 IPL matches at an average of 22.03 and an economy rate of 7.25. Bumrah has been brilliant at both ends of an innings and it is never easy to hit the big shots against him.

Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube Channel, “Among the three, Jasprit Bumrah would get the most money. Bumrah will get a lot of money because a bowler like Bumrah comes once in a generation. The kind of work he does for his team is exceptional. Virat the batter, maybe you can find others like him, but Virat the brand, that continues. Nowadays, Virat the brand carries immense value. See, whichever franchise joins the IPL or buys a team, they come to do business. They have invested money, so they want to earn money. It’s simple. They haven’t come here to do anyone a favor or to groom players, all that is nonsense. They are here to do business.”

The Natwest Trophy final hero said Bumrah is a bigger match-winner than Virat Kohli.

“So, Virat the brand has huge value because of that, and that’s why franchises want him. Their people would love to have Kohli with them. But if you ask who the biggest match-winner is among them, I would put Bumrah far ahead of Virat,” he added.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is the highest run-getter in IPL history with 8661 runs in 259 innings. 

The trio of Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli are all set to be retained by their franchises ahead of IPL 2026 auction.