CricBengal.com | Sports Desk
Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman is hoping to return to the Indian Premier League after registering for the 2027 mini auction.
Reports indicate that six to seven other Bangladeshi cricketers have also registered for the auction, although the complete list of names has not been officially confirmed.
The mini auction is scheduled to take place in Goa on December 16, according to reports. It will give Mustafizur another opportunity to secure an IPL contract after his release from Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the 2026 season.
Mustafizur’s IPL Experience
Mustafizur made his IPL debut in 2016 and immediately made an impression by winning the Emerging Player of the Tournament award. He became the first overseas player to receive the honour.
The Bangladesh pacer has represented several franchises during his IPL career, including Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.
His variations, particularly his cutters and slower deliveries, have made him a useful option in T20 cricket.
KKR Release and the Search for a New Team
Kolkata Knight Riders signed Mustafizur for INR 9.20 crore ahead of the 2026 season. However, the franchise subsequently released him following an instruction from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The BCCI cited recent developments when directing KKR to release the Bangladesh fast bowler. The franchise confirmed that it had complied with the instruction.
The 2027 mini auction could now provide Mustafizur with another opportunity to return to the competition. His previous IPL experience and ability to bowl at different stages of an innings could attract interest from franchises looking to strengthen their pace attacks.
What to Expect from the Mini Auction
Unlike a mega auction, a mini auction does not allow franchises to rebuild their entire squads. Teams first decide which players to retain and release before entering the auction with their remaining purse.
Under the IPL’s 2027 regulations, each franchise can have between 18 and 25 players, including a maximum of eight overseas players. The total salary cap for each team is INR 157 crore, although the actual auction purse will depend on the players retained and released.
For Mustafizur, the upcoming auction represents an important opportunity to return to the IPL. Whether a franchise decides to invest in his experience and bowling variations will become clear when the players go under the hammer.
CricBengal/BH