IPL 2026: Mustafizur Rahman's former CSK teammate 'really happy' for seamer on getting sold to KKR at auction

Published - 17 Dec 2025, 13:01 IST | Updated - 18 Dec 2025, 18:49 IST

English cricketer and ex-Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Moeen Ali has revealed that he was immensely happy for his erstwhile CSK teammate Mustafizur Rahman for bagging a deal with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the auction for IPL 2026. Mustafizur was picked up by the Kolkata-based franchise for a decent sum of INR 9.2 crore.

Moeen reflected on the amount of expertise the Bangladesh pacer possesses as a bowler and that he was unlucky during his lone season at CSK in 2023 for not getting backed enough. Moeen also pointed to the hard work the pacer has been putting behind the scenes and was pleased for the Bangladeshi pacer to be valued at the aforementioned price.

"I am really happy for him. He deserves it. He is very underrated. He's got great skill, goes under the radar. I felt sorry for him at CSK because he did well initially. Had a couple of games where it did not go well for him and then he hardly played. He's been slugging it out for years. I think he was just in the auction, putting his name in and hoping for the best. For him to go at that price is a bonus for him," shared Moeen on the Beard Before Wicket podcast.

Mustafizur last represented Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025. He only played three matches for the franchise after coming in as an injury replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk. Mustafizur was not retained by the Capitals ahead of the auction.

He is currently playing the ILT20 while featuring for Dubai Capitals. Speaking of his stats in the IPL up until now, Mustafizur has picked up 65 wickets in 60 matches at an economy rate of 8.13. He has been a part of five teams so far.

Ex-opener breaks down KKR's strategy in IPL 2026 auction

KKR bought a total of 13 players at the auction in Abu Dhabi. Mustafizur ended up being the third-greatest pick in the descending order of final price, after Cameron Green (INR 25.2 crore) and Matheesha Pathirana (INR 18 crore). The three-time IPL champions will be aiming at a much better season after finishing eighth in IPL 2025.