Mustafizur Rahman was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a huge price of Rs 9.20 crore in the IPL 2026 mini-auction last month. However, he was released by the franchise last week amid rising political tensions between India and Bangladesh.
Former India and KKR batsman Aakash Chopra picked seven overseas seam-bowling options along with one spin-bowling option that KKR could consider while replacing the Bangladeshi legend.
In a video uploaded on 'X', Chopra named New Zealand's Nathan Smith, South Africa Gerald CoetzeeThe Australian pair of Sean Abbott and Riley Meredith, England's Richard Gleeson and Gus Atkinson, and West Indies' Alzarri Joseph form the fast bowling options. The cricketer-turned-specialist also suggested the name of New Zealand spin-bowling all-rounder Michael Bracewell and said that he could join the team if Sunil Narine is unable to play some matches due to injury.
Last season was very difficult for three-time champion KKR. Under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, they finished eighth in the points table. After the debacle, KKR management made radical changes in its team. He even released his charismatic all-rounder Andre Russell and made him the power coach.
KKR went into the mini-auction with the biggest purse and they spent wholeheartedly on players like Cameron Green and Mathisha Pathirana, who fetched astonishing deals of Rs 25.20 crore and Rs 18 crore respectively.
In the wicketkeeping department, the Knights replaced Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz with Kiwi pair Tim Seifert and Finn Allen. Rahul Tripathi, Akash Deep, Kartik Tyagi and Tejaswi Dahiya are the exciting Indian prospects acquired by the Kolkata-based franchise in the auction. The team is looking much better than last season, at least on paper.
He has also made some important changes in the coaching staff. While Dwayne Bravo will continue as the mentor, Abhishek Nair has replaced Chandrakant Pandit as the head coach. Shane Watson has been signed as an assistant coach, while Tim Southee has come in as the new bowling coach.
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