IPL 2025: For Bangladeshi cricket fans, IPL 2025 began with a wave of disappointment. Not a single player from the nation found a buyer at the high-profile auction.
All 13 hopefuls – including household names like Shakib Al Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, and Mustafizur Rahman – remained unsold, leaving supporters disheartened and puzzled.
But in a thrilling twist, there’s finally a flicker of green and red on the IPL canvas – Mustafizur Rahman has been signed by Delhi Capitals as a replacement for Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk. It’s not just a late entry; it’s a potentially game-changing moment.
The ‘Fizz’, as he’s fondly known, brings with him not only years of experience but also a reputation for delivering under pressure. His IPL journey began on a dream note in 2016 when he helped Sunrisers Hyderabad clinch the title and etched his name in history as the only overseas player to win the Emerging Player award. Since then, he’s donned the colours of MI, RR, CSK, and notably, DC – the franchise he now returns to in a high-stakes playoff push.
Delhi Capitals, currently fifth on the points table with 13 points from 11 games, find themselves in a tight race for a top-four finish. With Fraser-McGurk opting out due to personal reasons, the Capitals saw an opportunity to bolster their bowling attack with Mustafizur’s left-arm variety – a valuable asset alongside Mitchell Starc and T Natarajan.
But hold your breath – the story’s not straightforward.
At the time of writing, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has not confirmed the issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Mustafizur. In fact, the pacer is currently preparing with the national squad for a two-match T20I series against the UAE, scheduled to begin on 17 May – the very day IPL 2025 resumes.
“I can’t say whether Mustafiz will join Delhi Capitals,” BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury told Cricbuzz. “He is with the team flying to UAE. We haven’t received any decision or formal NOC request yet.”
The uncertainty has only added to the drama. For fans back home, who were left bewildered when all Bangladeshi players went unsold – possibly due to a lack of recent T20 form and ongoing concerns about NOC delays – this development is a bittersweet one. Taskin Ahmed, another high-profile pacer, confirmed that Lucknow Super Giants had contacted him earlier in the tournament regarding availability, but the conversation didn’t result in a deal.
Still, with Mustafizur’s name now officially on Delhi Capitals’ roster and a reported ₹6 crore contract in hand, Bangladeshi cricket finally has a stake – however slim – in IPL 2025.
If the BCB gives the green light and Mustafizur can join in time, DC’s remaining fixtures against Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and Punjab Kings may see the return of his infamous slower cutters and death-over precision – a nostalgic reminder of what he brings to the biggest stage.
For Bangladesh, this isn’t just about one player. It’s a much-needed moment of pride, a ripple of excitement, and perhaps a sign that while the doors may have been closed in the auction room, the IPL spotlight isn’t done shining on them just yet.