Mustafizur Rahman was roped in by Kolkata Knight Riders KKR at the IPL 2026 mini-auction last month for a staggering INR 9.20 crore. However, he was released by the franchise last week amid the escalating political tension between India and Bangladesh.
Former India and KKR batter Aakash Chopra picked seven overseas seam-bowling options alongside one spin-bowling option that KKR could consider while replacing the Bangladeshi veteran.
In a video uploaded on 'X', Chopra listed New Zealand's Nathan Smith, South Africa's Gerald Coetzee, Australian duo of Sean Abbott and Riley Meredith, England's Richard Gleeson and Gus Atkinson, and the West Indies' Alzarri Joseph as the fast-bowling options. The cricketer-turned-expert also suggested New Zealand spin-bowling all-rounder Michael Bracewell's name, adding that he could chip in should Sunil Narine miss a few matches due to an injury.
