Delhi Capitals Recall Mustafizur Rahman for IPL 2025
Delhi Capitals have retained the services of Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for Australian opener Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has pulled out of the rest of IPL 2025 due to personal reasons. But his availability is subject to getting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which has yet to materialize. Bulking it up, Rahman is already with the Bangladesh team in the UAE for their T20I series against the UAE on May 17 and 19, and then there is a five-match series in Pakistan from May 25 that could coincide with Delhi Capitals' remaining league games on May 18, 21, and 24. It leaves his availability for the IPL season under doubt. Rahman, who had earlier played for Delhi Capitals in 2022 and 2023, has some experience on board, but his availability is subject to solving these scheduling and administrative issues
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Delhi Capitals have replaced Australia's Jake Fraser-McGurk who left the IPL season midway for personal reasons with Bangladesh's left-handed fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. Mustafizur is not new to the Delhi Capitals team as he played for them during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The signing is crucial for the team as they will enhance their prospects in the IPL 2025 playoffs.
Mustafizur Rahman is a veteran IPL player with an impressive record. He initially made his presence felt in the league in 2016 when he played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and secured the championship title for the team. During his first year, he picked up 16 wickets and became the sole overseas player to have won the emerging player award. Mustafizur has represented a number of IPL franchises such as Mumbai Indians Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings throughout his career. He has appeared in 57 IPL games and has picked up 61 wickets to date. His left-arm pacer ability is an excellent addition to Delhi Capitals who already possess two other left-arm pace bowlers Mitchell Starc and T Natarajan.
But there is a slight delay in Mustafizur's entry into Delhi Capitals as the Bangladesh Cricket Board has not received any formal request for his No-Objection Certificate. Mustafizur is with the Bangladesh squad that is going to the UAE to play two T20 international games against the UAE on May 17 and May 19. Bangladesh Cricket Board CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury informed Cricbuzz that no decision has been taken regarding Mustafizur joining Delhi Capitals as he is still with the national team.
Delhi Capitals are currently placed fifth in the IPL 2025 standings with 13 points from 11 matches. They are only close behind the fourth-placed Mumbai Indians with 14 points but have played an extra game. Therefore, the coming matches are important for Delhi Capitals if they are to make the playoffs. Their next three matches are against tough teams that also need a playoff spot. These franchises are Gujarat Titans Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings.
Adding Mustafizur will bring depth to the Delhi Capitals bowling unit. With experience and capability to pick wickets in a tense situation, they can win crucial matches for the team. As Mitchell Starc and T Natarajan are already left-arm pace bowlers, the team will have three of them to pick which can be handy based on the pitch and conditions.
The return of Mustafizur also indicates Delhi Capitals management has faith in his past IPL season skills and experience. With the resumption of the season on May 17 each match will matter and the team will hope that the comeback of Mustafizur increases their prospects. If at all he is able to receive his No-Objection Certificate and arrive with the team on time Delhi Capitals may have an improved bowling unit to counter stiff competition.
In all, Mustafizur Rahman's comeback to Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025 is something that can give their fans hope for their team. His performance in the IPL and his capabilities on major platforms make him an asset player. With the team struggling to make the playoffs having a talented left-arm pacer like Mustafizur can be the turning point for them in these remaining critical matches of the season.
