Cricket has always pretended to be apolitical until it isn’t. Kolkata Knight Riders learned that the hard way when the BCCI instructed them to release Mustafizur Rahman ahead of IPL 2026, a decision shaped more by geopolitics than form charts. For KKR, this wasn’t just the loss of a bowler; it was the removal of a carefully planned match-winner.
Fazalhaq Farooqi: Potential Wrapped in Volatility
Fazalhaq Farooqi
If KKR is chasing a like-for-like replacement, Fazalhaq Farooqi fits the silhouette. Left-arm, skiddy, swing early, cutters late on paper, the resemblance is uncanny. Farooqi’s global T20 record is impressive: 186 wickets in 149 matches at an economy of 7.45, plus 137 international wickets across formats by the age of 25.
The worry? IPL has treated him badly, six wickets in twelve outings; an economy of 10.32. However, you have to look at the bigger picture. The short stints he was given for bowling under pressure, and how often he had to be prepared for his role, all contribute to inflating those figures. In contrast, his current ILT20 performance (twelve wickets in ten games at 7.86) shows that he’s developing. With a base price of one crore rupees, it is a gamble to take on Farooqi, a potentially huge upside, but minimal downside.
Jason Behrendorff: Experience as a Tactical Weapon
Jason Behrendorff
Jason Behrendorff provides KKR with an alternative to uncertainty; as a 35-year-old left-arm spinner, he may not be able to offer longevity; however, he will offer you consistency and clarity. He has taken 217 T20 wickets from his first 181 games of T20 cricket, and has an economy rate of 7.64 runs per over. His IPL statistics show that he has taken 19 wickets from 17 games; both are key statistics that reflect how adaptable he is as a cricketer.
Behrendorff is currently on a hot streak for his BBL side, Melbourne Renegades; with his ability to shape the ball away from right-handed batsmen (a skill that has been valued in the IPL at Eden Gardens), he can bring this skill to KKR. Similar to the short-term impact of players such as Mitchell McClenaghan or Dale Steyn from the IPL in years gone by, Behrendorff will likely give KKR an instant return. At a price of ₹1.5 crore, Behrendorff can be plugged into the team straight away.
Joshua Little: Youthful Upside Meets Financial Sense
Joshua Little
If Farooqi is potential and Behrendorff is polish, Joshua Little is value. At ₹75 lakh, he’s the budget option but not a budget bowler. Little owns 167 wickets in 148 T20s at 7.88 economy, with solid IPL exposure for Gujarat Titans (11 wickets in 11 matches).
His growth path is one of the positive factors working for him. He is at an age (26) where he is entering his prime years. Having already competed in a number of leagues such as SA20, ILT20, and CPL, he has some professional experience under his belt. His use of a left arm angle and a variety of slower pace options to deceive batsmen is somewhat reminiscent of how Mustafizur began his career. Little will be an economical roster choice for KKR that provides them flexibility going forward; he can be used immediately, and he has potential to develop further.
Key Takeaway
KKR doesn’t need another Mustafizur; they need the right overs filled, at the right moments.
FAQs
- What forced KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman?
BCCI directives amid India–Bangladesh tensions led to his release before IPL 2026.
- Why is Mustafizur hard to replace at KKR?
His ability to control both powerplay and death overs is rare and highly valuable.
- How can KKR minimize the impact of his absence?
By assigning clear bowling roles and choosing a replacement that fits their tactical system.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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