In a recent chat, Team India‘s batter KL Rahul was presented with a challenging question—one that required him to pick a teammate for the upcoming IPL 2025 season from three icons: MS Dhoni, Virat Kohliand Rohit Sharma. Rahul, who has previously shared the field with all three, struggled to settle on a choice, emphasizing the difficulty of the decision.

KL Rahul heads to the IPL 2025 mega auction

The question came at a pivotal moment in Rahul’s IPL career. Having captained Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) from 2022 to 2024, Rahul led the team to the playoffs twice, yet the squad struggled to perform consistently. After a promising start, LSG’s fortunes declined in 2024, and they ended the season in seventh place. Consequently, Rahul was released by the franchise ahead of the 2025 IPL season, positioning him as one of the star players in the upcoming mega auction, where he’ll enter with the highest base price of INR 2 crore.

In contrast, Rohit, Kohli, and Dhoni were retained by their franchises—Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluruand Chennai Super Kingsrespectively. Each has been instrumental in shaping the success of their teams over the years, with their leadership and on-field prowess keeping them at the core of their respective lineups. Rahul’s release places him in an interesting position as he enters the auction pool, a rare opportunity for any franchise looking for an experienced, adaptable top-order batter with leadership skills.

Rahul’s heartwarming response to the tough question of picking a teammate for IPL 2025

In a segment aptly titled ‘KL in a Pickle’ on Star Sports, Rahul was put on the spot with a challenging question. The interviewer asked him to select an IPL teammate for the 2025 season, presenting him with the options of Rohit, Kohli, and Dhoni. Each of these players holds a unique place in Indian cricket, and the question highlighted the strong bonds Rahul shares with each of them.

Rohit has been a close teammate and captain for Rahul in the national team, known for his calm and supportive leadership. Virat, on the other hand, has brought an intensity and passion to the game that Rahul has long admired and shared the field with. Dhoni, the beloved ‘Captain Cool,’ was one of Rahul’s earliest mentors in international cricket and remains an iconic figure of inspiration for him.

Caught off guard by the question, the 32-year-old couldn’t pick just one and gave an honest, heartfelt response. Smiling, he admitted, “I don’t know. It’s a tough one. This is a real pickle you have put me in. I have enjoyed playing with all of them. Very tough to answer.” His reply reflected the strong camaraderie and respect he has developed for each of these cricket legends over the years, acknowledging that each of them has contributed something special to his career.

Eyes on redemption: Rahul’s focus on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

While he is set to go into the IPL 2025 auction, Rahul’s immediate focus is on the international stage. Recently, he played in the second unofficial Test for India A against Australia A in Melbourne, where he struggled, managing scores of just 4 and 10 as India A lost the match by six wickets. This rough patch places Rahul under pressure as he prepares for the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 series. With India set to face Australia, expectations are high for Rahul to regain form and contribute significantly to the team’s performance.