"Would put Bumrah far ahead of Virat Kohli" - Former RCB batter's stunning statement ahead of IPL 2026 retention deadline

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) player Mohammad Kaif believes that ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah is likely to fetch a higher price than the veteran duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli if all three enter the IPL auction.

During a discussion on his YouTube channel on Tuesday, November 11, Kaif stated that while Kohli carries immense brand value, when it comes to being a match-winner, Bumrah ranks far ahead of the RCB batter. He said:

“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.”

“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 of RCB, along with Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah of Mumbai Indians (MI), are likely to be retained by their respective franchises as the IPL 2026 retention deadline of November 15 approaches.

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A look at Jasprit Bumrah’s and Virat Kohli’s numbers in the IPL

Delhi-born batter Virat Kohli has been a part of RCB since the inception of the IPL in 2008 and finally tasted glory in the 2025 edition. The right-handed batter has featured in 267 games, scoring 8,661 runs in 259 innings, the highest by any batter in tournament history, at an average of 39.54 and a strike rate of 132.85, including 63 fifties and eight centuries.

On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah made his IPL debut with MI in 2013 and has remained with the franchise ever since. The right-arm pacer has played 145 games, picking up 183 wickets, the most for the franchise and sixth overall in IPL history, at an average of 22.02, a strike rate of 18.2, and an economy of 7.24, including two five-wicket hauls.