Overview:
Joshua Little could emerge as a cost-effective left-arm pace option for KKR ahead of IPL 2026. The Ireland pacer has featured in 74 T20Is and 42 ODIs, claiming 82 and 61 wickets respectively.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has directed Kolkata Knight Riders to part ways with Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the IPL 2026 season. Speaking to ANI, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the decision was taken in light of recent incidents involving attacks on Hindu communities in Bangladesh, effectively ending the Bangladesh pacer’s association with the franchise.
Rahman’s value climbed significantly at the auction, rising from a base of INR 2 crore to INR 9.2 crore after a three-way battle with DC and CSK. KKR stand to lose a proven match-winner, renowned for his variations upfront and composure at the death. The Bangladesh pacer has an impressive T20 résumé, tallying 402 wickets from 315 matches, including 65 in the IPL.
Here’s a look at four players who went unsold at the IPL 2026 auction and could emerge as viable alternatives for KKR in place of Mustafizur Rahman.
Fazalhaq Farooqi
A left-arm pacer from Afghanistan offers a similar skill set to Mustafizur Rahman, backed by experience in multiple global T20 competitions including the CPL, BBL, The Hundred and ILT20. Fazalhaq Farooqi has picked up 186 wickets in 149 T20 appearances while conceding at just 7.45 runs per over, along with four five-fors. His international tally stands at 137 wickets across formats.
While Farooqi has struggled to make a significant impact in the IPL, managing only six scalps across 12 appearances at a costly economy of 10.32, his form in the ILT20 tells a different story. Representing MI Emirates, he has claimed 12 wickets in 10 games at 7.86 runs per over. He entered the auction with a base tag of INR 1 crore.
Jason Behrendorff
KKR could turn to Australian seamer Jason Behrendorff as a reliable left-arm alternative. The veteran has started the BBL strongly, claiming four wickets across as many games for the Melbourne Renegades. His T20 credentials are underlined by 144 scalps in 110 appearances.
The pacer’s IPL record stands at 19 wickets in 17 matches, adding to his strong résumé in the shortest format. Overall, he has claimed 217 wickets across 181 T20 games while conceding at 7.64 runs per over, including three four-fors. At the international level, he has featured in 17 T20Is and 12 ODIs for Australia. His base tag is INR 1.5 crore.
Richard Gleeson
The English quick Richard Gleeson has enjoyed an impressive run in the ongoing SA20, claiming eight scalps from three outings. Known for his control at the death, the English seamer recently played a decisive role in a win for Joburg Super Kings. He has featured in three IPL matches to date, turning out for both Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. Gleeson had a base price of Rs 75 lakh.
Joshua Little
Joshua Little could emerge as a cost-effective left-arm pace option for KKR ahead of IPL 2026. The Ireland pacer has featured in 74 T20Is and 42 ODIs, claiming 82 and 61 wickets respectively. His experience extends across multiple franchise tournaments, including the SA20, ILT20 and CPL. Little previously turned out for the Gujarat Titans during the 2023 and 2024 IPL campaigns, where he returned with 11 wickets while going at 8.92 runs per over. In the T20 format overall, the left-armer has accounted for 167 dismissals across 148 matches at an economy rate of 7.88, highlighted by a five-wicket haul and three four-fors. He is available at a base price of INR 75 lakh.