In a surprising move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from
their squad ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026, to which the franchise duly obliged. The board has confirmed that they will be allowing KKR to sign a replacement player for Rahman whom they had bagged for a massive signing of INR 9.2 crore at the mini-auction.
Being a left-arm overseas pacer and a very skilful bowler of T20 cricket, Rahman is not going to be an easy bowler to be replaced. But since the three-time champions would not want to let go the opportunity to buy a like-for-like replacement, CricTracker has analysed to check the potential overseas fast bowlers who can join the Knight Riders’ dressing room ahead of the upcoming season.
Here are 3 potential replacements for Mustafizur Rahman in KKR squad ahead of IPL 2026
3. Spencer Johnson
Spencer Johnson is an up-and-coming pacer from Australia, and has already been a part of the KKR set-up during the previous season. However, he failed to live up to the expectations and was subsequently dropped ahead of the auction. The left-arm pacer did register for the 2026 season, but found no takers, and had to head home unsold.
However, KKR can re-sign him to bring him back to their squad, and ask the player to represent the franchise once again. Since he has already spent a lot of time with the side and is also aware of the team culture, Johnson certainly emerges as one of the frontrunners to be playing for the Kolkata-based team ahead of Mustafizur.
2. Gerald Coetzee
South Africa pace bowler Gerald Coetzee failed to find any bidders at the auction table ahead of the 2026 season. He had set his base price at INR 2.00 crore, and teams may have found him a little overpriced for that tag, as a result of which, he had turn his head down and walk off from the auction event.
But life gives everyone a second chance, they say, and Coetzee may just get his if KKR contact him to play for them in place of the Bangladesh cricketer. He has already represented Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians previously, and is also an active figure in franchise leagues around the world. He may be the perfect fit for the team, and may also be beneficial as a death overs batter, with his abilities to swing the blade hard and long enough.
1. Sean Abbott
Sean Abbott is a regular feature in the Big Bash League, but has remained away from the international limelight. His records in the 20-over cricket are quite impressive, though. In 199 matches, the right-arm pacer has over 261 wickets at an economy rate of 8.65, which is pretty decent in the shortest format of the game.
Moreover, he has bulk of experience behind his back to be bowling in different conditions. The surface at the Eden Gardens will also be largely assistive to his style of bowling, as the right-armer relies more on generating pace and bounce than swinging the white ball. KKR may have a feeling of blessing in disguise if they get Abbott on board ahead of IPL 2026.
