Mustafizur Goes for ₹3.5 Crore in IPL Mock

With the much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) auction scheduled for 16 December, excitement is steadily building across the cricketing world. Adding an early spark to that anticipation, former India international Ravichandran Ashwin recently hosted a mock auction on his popular YouTube channel — and it was Bangladesh’s left-arm pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman who emerged as one of the standout names.

The mock auction, designed to simulate the dynamics and strategies of the real IPL bidding process, attracted considerable attention from fans and analysts alike. In this exercise, Mustafizur Rahman was listed with a base price of ₹2 crore, identical to his valuation in the upcoming official IPL auction. Almost immediately, his name ignited a competitive bidding war, underlining his enduring reputation as a proven T20 performer.

Two heavyweight franchises — Chennai and Bengaluru — went head-to-head in a spirited contest to secure the services of the Bangladeshi fast bowler. Both teams were keen to bolster their pace attacks with a left-arm option renowned for his deceptive cutters, yorkers and calm temperament under pressure. As the bidding escalated, it became clear that Mustafizur’s skill set was highly valued in conditions traditionally favourable to bowlers with variations.

In the end, Bengaluru prevailed, acquiring Mustafizur in the mock auction for a sum of ₹3.5 crore, significantly above his base price. The result not only highlighted his market appeal but also served as a reminder of the impact he has made in previous IPL seasons with different franchises. His experience in Indian conditions, coupled with his ability to bowl effectively both in the powerplay and at the death, continues to make him an attractive prospect.

Importantly, Mustafizur’s base price in the official IPL auction remains ₹2 crore, meaning a similar bidding battle could unfold when franchises assemble on 16 December. His strong showing in the mock auction is likely to further enhance interest among teams seeking an experienced overseas seamer.

Mustafizur is not the only Bangladeshi cricketer hoping to attract attention at this year’s auction. A total of seven players from Bangladesh have registered their names, reflecting the country’s growing presence in global T20 leagues. Alongside Mustafizur, the list includes Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shariful Islam, Rakibul Hasan, and Nahid Rana — a mix of pace, spin and all-round potential.

As the countdown to the IPL auction continues, the mock auction has already provided an intriguing glimpse into how franchises may value Bangladeshi talent this year.

Bangladeshi Players in the IPL 2025 Auction