Over the past few years Afghanistan has become a hub for skilled cricketers in the Indian Premier League (IPL). IPL teams have been impressed with their players especially the spinners and all-rounders. They have the skills, they can mix things up and they know how to handle the pressure.
Looking ahead to the IPL Auction 2026 we know some Afghan cricketers will be up for grabs in the auction and others might be released by their current teams giving them a chance to enter the mini-auction.
Afghanistan Players and Their IPL Roles
| Player Name | Role | IPL Team (2025) | Base Price (INR Crore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | Spinner (Leg Spin) | Gujarat Titans | 2.0 |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Fast Bowler | Rajasthan Royals | 0.75 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | WK-Batsman | Kolkata Knight Riders | 2.0 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Spinner (Mystery) | Mumbai Indians | 2.0 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | All-rounder | Gujarat Titans | 1.5 |
| Noor Ahmad | Spinner (Left Wrist) | Gujarat Titans | 2.0 |
| Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar | Spinner (Finger Spin) | – | 0.4-0.75 approx |
| Waqar Salamkheil | Fast Bowler | – | 0.3-0.5 approx |
| Naveen-ul-Haq | Fast Bowler | Kolkata Knight Riders | 0.75 |
| Sediqullah Atal | Left-hand Batting All-rounder | Unsold | 0.75 |
| Mohammad Nabi | All-rounder | – | 0.75-1.0 approx |
| Gulbadin Naib | All-rounder | – | 0.5 |
| Karim Janat | All-rounder | Gujarat Titans | 0.3-0.5 approx |
| Najibullah Zadran | Batsman | – | 0.3-0.5 approx |
| Ibrahim Zadran | Batsman | – | 0.3-0.5 approx |
| Qais Ahmad | Spinner (Left-arm) | – | 0.3-0.5 approx |
| Faridoon Dawoodzai | Bowler | – | 0.3 approx |
| Nangyal Kharote | Bowler | Mumbai Indians | 0.3 approx |
Let’s talk about some of the Afghan players and what they bring to their IPL teams:
Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans): He’s the big name in Afghan spin bowling in the IPL. People know him for his tricky spin and he doesn’t give away easy runs. He’s still one of the most wanted players out there.
Fazalhaq Farooqi (Rajasthan Royals): He’s a young fast bowler who can become a star.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Kolkata Knight Riders): He’s an explosive batsman who can also keep wicket. Sometimes people question if he can stay consistent but teams love him because he can get them off to a fast start.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Mumbai Indians): He’s another mystery spinner but it’s not clear if MI will retain him since he hasn’t played much.
Azmatullah Omarzai: He’s an all-rounder with a lot of potential and he has a reasonable price tag.
Noor Ahmad: He’s a left-arm wrist spinner like Rashid Khan and he has already played in the IPL.
There are others to keep an eye on too like Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Waqar Salamkheil, Naveen-ul-Haq, Sediqullah Atal and experienced all-rounders like Nabi, Gulbadin Naib and Karim Janat.
Afghan cricketers have made a name for themselves in the IPL. They have top-notch spinners like Rashid Khan and up-and-coming guys like Noor Ahmad and Ghazanfar. Now we are seeing more fast bowlers and good all-rounders coming in which helps teams to balance their squads. At the IPL 2026 auction some teams will hold on to their Afghan players and others will go into the auction pool. The mini-auction or trade window will be crucial for players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Mujeeb Ur Rahman as their recent performances might make their teams think twice about retaining them. This gives other teams a chance to pick up some young talent and experienced players from Afghanistan.
The top Afghan players have a base price of around INR 1.5-2 crore which shows how valuable and in-demand they are. Young players who are just starting out might have a base price as low as INR 0.3-0.75 crore.
The rise of Afghanistan’s cricket stars in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a true testament to their grit and hard work. These players entertain while providing the much-needed variety and competitiveness to the league, thereby turning into valuable assets for any side. As the IPL continues to grow and lure more international stars, further expect Afghan cricketers to keep entertaining the fans and bringing success to their teams. Their ability to adapt fastboxes to the T20 format and their unique skills put these players in the demand in the biggest cricket league across the globe.
