Afghanistan’s dynamic batsman, Najibullah Zadran, is gearing up for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction with a clear goal in mind—playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and assisting Virat Kohli in securing his first IPL title. The left-handed cricketer, known for his aggressive style, has set his base auction price at Rs 50 lakh.
RCB, despite having top-tier players, has faced the unfortunate fate of never clinching an IPL title. Their closest brush with victory came in 2016 when they reached the final but fell short against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Faf du Plessis is set to lead RCB in the 2024 edition of the tournament.
Najibullah Zadran, a key member of Afghanistan squad, contributed to the team’s commendable performance. Afghanistan defeated cricketing giants like England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, narrowly missing the semifinals and ultimately finishing sixth in the points table.
Despite his limited impact in the World Cup, Zadran remains optimistic about securing his maiden IPL contract.
“Like every player, I dream of being in the IPL, and that’s my dream too. I wish to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Virat Kohli hasn’t secured an IPL victory yet, and I hope we can change that this time,” he told Hindustan Times.
While his World Cup performance may not have dazzled, Zadran boasts an impressive T20I record. With 94 games under his belt, he has amassed 1712 runs at a striking rate of nearly 140 and an average exceeding 31, including eight half-centuries in the shortest format of the game. As the IPL 2024 auction approaches, Zadran remains steadfast in his ambition to don the RCB jersey and contribute to Kohli’s quest for IPL glory.