New Delhi, Jan 6: Kolkata Knight Riders are set to explore their options in the overseas fast-bowling department after releasing Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman ahead of IPL 2026.
KKR had secured Mustafizur for INR 9.2 crore at the auction, but were forced to part ways with him following directives from the BCCI. The decision comes amid strained circumstances, with Bangladesh refusing to play their T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India and imposing a ban on IPL telecasts in the country.
With the regulations allowing them to name a replacement, KKR now have the opportunity to bolster their pace reserves. However, it is unlikely that the incoming player will be an automatic starter, given that the franchise already have Matheesha Pathirana — one of the most reliable death bowlers in the IPL — in their ranks.
Here are five potential candidates KKR could consider as a replacement.
Fazalhaq Farooqi (Base price: INR 1 crore)
A fellow left-arm seamer, Farooqi offers a broadly similar profile to Mustafizur, though with a different skill set. While Mustafizur is renowned for his mastery at the death, Farooqi is more effective with the new ball and in the early overs. The Afghan pacer was the joint-highest wicket-taker at the 2024 T20 World Cup and remains in demand across T20 leagues. He enjoyed a decent spell with Sunrisers Hyderabad but struggled to make an impact during his stint with Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025.
Gerald Coetzee (Base price: INR 2 crore)
Coetzee represents a high-risk, high-reward option. The South African quick has not featured in competitive cricket since sustaining a pectoral muscle injury in October, but when fit, he brings genuine pace and aggression. He can also contribute handy runs down the order. In 14 IPL appearances across spells with Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans, Coetzee has picked up 15 wickets, though at a relatively expensive economy rate.
Kyle Jamieson (Base price: INR 2 crore)
Once tipped as a future all-format star, Jamieson’s career has been repeatedly interrupted by injuries. At his best, the tall New Zealander remains a formidable proposition, using bounce to trouble batters and offering depth with the bat. In 13 IPL matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, he has claimed 14 wickets and could appeal to KKR as a pace-bowling all-round option.
Richard Gleeson (Base price: INR 75 lakh)
Gleeson is fondly remembered by Indian fans for his sensational T20I debut in 2022, when he dismissed Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant in quick succession. His IPL exposure has been limited so far, but recent performances in the SA20 have underlined his form and rhythm. The English pacer could be viewed as a low-cost, high-upside addition to the squad.
Akash Madhwal (Base price: INR 30 lakh)
One of the few Indian options on the list, Madhwal shot to prominence with a five-wicket haul in the 2023 Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants. Although his 2024 season was underwhelming, he finished IPL 2025 strongly with a decisive spell for Rajasthan Royals. His familiarity with Indian conditions and proven ability in pressure games could make him an attractive backup option.
As KKR weigh their choices, the replacement is likely to be seen more as squad depth than a frontline starter — but with a long season ahead, even a supporting act could end up playing a decisive role. (IANS)
