IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians Rope in Mujeeb Ur Rahman as Replacement For Injured Allah Ghazanfar

Mumbai Indians (MI) on Sunday (February 16) announced Afghanistan off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman as a replacement for his compatriot Allah Ghazanfar, who has been ruled out of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 due to an injury.

Ghazanfar, bought by MI during the mega auction last year for Rs 4.8 Crore, was sideline from action for the next four months due to a "a fracture in the L4 vertebra, specifically in the left pars interarticularis", ruling him out of the Champions Trophy and the subsequent IPL 2025.

Mumbai Indians have soon reacted an roped in an almost like-for-like replacement in the form of Mujeeb, who is known for his variations and mystery spin, an element which they have missed for the past few seasons.

Mujeeb has been a key figure in Afghanistan's rise in international cricket. He made headlines early in his career as one of the youngest players to represent Afghanistan and earned an IPL debut at just 17 years old. Since then, he has played over 300 T20 matches across international and domestic circuits, picking up nearly 330 wickets at an impressive economy rate of around 6.5.

His experience and ability to bowl in the powerplay as well as the middle overs make him a valuable addition to the MI squad. With Mumbai Indians looking to strengthen their bowling attack, Mujeeb's inclusion could provide the much-needed depth in the spin department.

The franchise extended it's best wishes to Ghazanfar for a speedy recovery and welcomed Mujeeb into the MI family, hoping for a strong contribution in the upcoming season, which gets underway on March 22.

"Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman is all set to make his way into the #OneFamily as a replacement for his compatriot AM Ghazanfar, who sadly misses out owing to an injury," Mumbai Indians said in a statement.

"Mujeeb, the right-handed mystery spinner renowned for his exploits across the globe, will be our latest addition to the Blue & Gold army, the five-time champions further added.

Mujeeb has IPL experience, having represented the Punjab Kings from 2018 to 2020, and the Sunrisers Hyderabad in a solitary season in 2021. In 19 appearances, Mujeeb has claimed 19 wickets in IPL at an economy rate of 8.18.