Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been unable to acquire a contract in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since the 2021 season. Despite his superb mystery spin and a stellar record for Afghanistan and numerous clubs, his last outing in the IPL was in 2021 for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman, on the other hand, has a solid chance of landing a contract in the forthcoming IPL 2024 auction.
Throughout his career, Mujeeb Ur Rahman has participated in 229 Twenty20 matches. He has claimed 244 wickets at an average of 23.78 and an economy rate of 6.71. Regarding his IPL career, Mujeeb first gained notoriety when, at the age of 17, he claimed 14 wickets while competing for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 2018 IPL.
He did, however, feature in just seven IPL games over the following two seasons, getting three wickets. For a base fee of ₹1.50 crore in 2021, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) acquired Mujeeb’s services; however, he played in just one game, taking two wickets.
With the IPL 2024 auction fast approaching, Mujeeb Ur Rahman may draw some suitors in search of a decent spinner.
To that end, here are three IPL franchises that should bid for Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the IPL 2024 auction:
3. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
If the ODI World Cup 2023 matches at Eden Gardens are any indication, spin to win might be the philosophy for IPL clubs playing at the site next year.
In IPL 2024, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will try to take advantage of Eden Gardens’ sluggish pace. They already have ample spin bowling options in Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Suyash Sharma, and Anukul Roy.
However, Narine will be 36 in May, and KKR can look to Mujeeb Ur Rahman as a backup to the mystery spinner, especially if the 22-year-old can be acquired inexpensively.
2. Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Despite possessing a team full of talented players, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) have failed to win their first IPL title due to their inability to prevail in crucial moments. The team’s bowling continues to be a challenge, particularly with spin.
PBKS’ frontline spin options are limited to Rahul Chahar and Harpreet Brar, with the latter often failing to provide spectacular performances.
This is where Mujeeb Ur Rahman may enter the scene. The Afghani tweaker has spent three seasons with the Punjab-based club, and his return may be a terrific move for the squad.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman would be an excellent spin bowling option, and PBKS could select between Kagiso Rabada, Sam Curran, or Nathan Ellis depending on the circumstances.
1. Mumbai Indians (MI)
Mumbai Indians (MI), the five-time winners, too lack a reliable spin-bowling option. Although they have Piyush Chawla and Kumar Kartikeya on their team, relying on them for the full season would be a gamble.
Despite veteran Chawla having a stellar season in IPL 2023, MI were one of the poorest teams in terms of wickets in the middle overs.
They might target Mujeeb Ur Rahman, a young T20 specialist who can slip in four overs without much trouble. He may also team up front with a pacer to begin with the new ball and hold his end in the middle overs.
MI can now afford to add an international spinner to their starting XI after swapping Hardik Pandya for Cameron Green, something many other IPL clubs cannot.
