Bangladesh’s premier left-arm pacer, Mustafizur Rahman, has been sold for a staggering ₹9.2 crore (approximately BDT 12.37 crore) in the latest Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, marking a record in his IPL career.
Few would have imagined such a price for the 28-year-old. His previous highest bid was only ₹2.2 crore back in 2018, when Mumbai Indians secured his services. IPL auctions are notoriously unpredictable, and this season, Mustafizur has certainly hit the jackpot.
Among the seven Bangladeshi cricketers in this year’s auction, Mustafizur’s acquisition seemed almost certain due to his consistent IPL performance. Across eight seasons and 60 matches, he has claimed 65 wickets, often shining in crucial “death overs”. Even though form may fluctuate over a season, his reputation as one of the world’s best bowlers in the final overs remains intact, making his high valuation less surprising.
Yet the magnitude of this year’s bid is unprecedented. Even during his peak years, Mustafizur rarely commanded such fees. In fact, his IPL journey has been a rollercoaster.
He debuted in the 2016 auction, picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹1.4 crore. That first season was extraordinary: 16 matches yielded 17 wickets at an economy of just 6.90, playing a pivotal role in Hyderabad’s championship win. He was awarded the IPL Emerging Player of the Year, a rare honour for a foreign recruit.
His second auction appearance came in 2018 when Mumbai Indians secured him for ₹2.2 crore. Between 2021 and 2024, he entered the auction four consecutive times. Rajasthan Royals picked him in 2021 for ₹1 crore, followed by two stints with Delhi Capitals at ₹2 crore, and then a season with Chennai Super Kings in 2024.
Performance-wise, Mustafizur has never replicated his debut season brilliance. He twice took 14 wickets in a season (2021 and 2024), and in the most recent campaign, he claimed four wickets in three matches. Despite these fluctuations, this year’s auction has finally seen the Bangladeshi pacer receive the recognition — and price tag — his talent commands.
Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL Auction Journey
| Year | Team | Auction Price (₹ crore) | Matches | Wickets | Economy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 1.4 | 16 | 17 | 6.90 | IPL Emerging Player of the Year |
| 2018 | Mumbai Indians | 2.2 | 7 | 7 | 8.36 | Career high pre‑2025 |
| 2021 | Rajasthan Royals | 1.0 | 14 | 14 | 8.41 | Solid return |
| 2022 | Delhi Capitals | 2.0 | 8 | 8 | 7.62 | Consistent |
| 2023 | Delhi Capitals | 2.0 | 2 | 1 | 11.29 | Limited opportunities |
| 2024 | Chennai Super Kings | 2.0 | 9 | 14 | 9.26 | Best recent season |
| 2025 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 9.2 | – | – | – | Record auction price |
Mustafizur Rahman’s journey from a promising debutant to a record-breaking IPL auction figure reflects both his enduring skill and the ever-growing value of proven international talent in the world’s most popular T20 league.
