Kohli and Dhoni May Play Against Each Other in USA in September

Virat Kohli could be pitted against MS Dhoni in exhibition matches for their respective IPL franchises in USA.

Virat Kohli (L) and MS Dhoni (R). (Photo: BCCI)

In their bid to cash in on the popularity of IPL among Indian diaspora, Indian Test captain Virat Kohli could be pitted against limited overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in exhibition matches for their respective franchises in the United States of America.

According to highly placed sources in the BCCI, three franchises namely Mumbai Indians, RCB and Rising Pune Supergiants have expressed their desire to play some exhibition matches in USA where there is a sizeable Indian and South Asian population.

The matter is expected to be discussed at the IPL Governing Council in Bengaluru before start of the final match tomorrow. The venue is tentatively Houston. However the dates need to be chalked out. Earlier, it was being discussed it would happen in the window available between India’s tour of Zimbabwe and West Indies. But it could now be held in September also. All three teams are expected to play against each other. Obviously, major attractions will be Kohli and Dhoni.

A Senior BCCI Official

“Houston is one centre that has been zeroed in as it having multiple centres will be a case of logistical nightmare for a short trip of exhibition matches,” the official added.

For BCCI officials, it would be an opportunity to test the waters in US market which has remained untapped so far.