3 Potential Replacements For Fazalhaq Farooqi In RR’s IPL 2025 Squad

Bhargav Dixit

Mustafizur Rahman and Matt Henry [Source: AP Photos]Mustafizur Rahman and Matt Henry [Source: AP Photos]

Story continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Afghanistan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi had to walk off the Gaddafi Stadium twice during the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match against England. Limping at one point in time, it was unclear if Farooqi would be able to bowl his remaining four overs in a must-win clash or not.

Much to the delight of Afghan fans, the left-arm bowler returned to action to complete his quota of overs. Having said that, in the absence of an official update, the extent of Farooqi’s injury remains unknown.

Other than his national team, Farooqi suffering an injury will also significantly affect Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals, who had bought him for his base price of INR 2 crore during IPL 2025 auction last year.

Assuming Farooqi misses the forthcoming season of the biggest T20 league in the world, below are three potential like-for-like replacements:

Mustafizur Rahman

Unsold during the latest auction, Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman is a tried and tested IPL campaigner. Part of Chennai Super Kings until last season, Rahman’s cunning variations make him an archetype T20 product. For the unversed, the 29-year-old player had plied his trade for RR during IPL 2021.

Joint fifth-highest T20 wicket-taker in the last 12 months, Rahman is among the most economical bowlers in the format this year. Representing Dhaka Capital in the last season of the Bangladesh Premier League, Rahman had dismissed 12 batters at an average of 22.16, an economy rate of 6.87 and a strike rate of 19.3.

Jason Behrendorff

Having played a couple of seasons for Mumbai Indians, Australia fast bowler Jason Behrendorff may not be vastly experienced like Rahman with regard to T20 leagues but his offerings with the new ball could make him a profitable property for Royals.

In the last year, the left-arm bowler has played for Jaffna Kings, Perth Scorchers and Pretoria Capitals in the Lanka Premier League, Big Bash League and SA20 respectively to pick 24 wickets at an average of 23.79, an economy rate of 8.02 and a strike rate of 17.7.

Alongside Jofra Archer, Behrendorff’s presence could work wonders for the franchise especially in the powerplay.

Matt Henry

With a seven-year gap in between, New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry’s scattered IPL career has seen him play for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and Lucknow Super Giants. If truth be told, neither is Henry a T20 mercenary nor has numbers to press his case in the shortest format.

That being said, Henry’s numbers in other formats and skills with the new ball make him an alluring prospect. Considering Rajasthan see him as a long-term option, Henry has it in him to repay the faith. It is to be noted that Henry’s 66 wickets across 25 innings are the maximum by a bowler in international cricket in the last 12 months.