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In a thrilling bid war at the IPL Auction 2025, Mumbai Indians have secured the services of rising Afghan leg-spinner Allah Ghazanfar for a whopping 4.80 crore.

The auction witnessed intense competition, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) relentlessly battling for the young talent before MI emerged victorious.

Allah Ghazanfar IPL Auction Price History

Ghazanfar, who made waves during Afghanistan’s series against South Africa in 2024, came onto the auction block at a modest base price of 75 lakh. However, the bidding quickly escalated as KKR made an early move, followed by RCB joining the fray. The tension mounted as KKR and RCB exchanged bids, with MI eventually entering the scene at 2.40 crore.

The race heated up as KKR pushed the bid to 4.60 crore, but MI stayed resolute, ultimately sealing the deal at 4.80 crore. Ghazanfar, who was part of the KKR squad last season as an injury replacement, saw his stock rise significantly following his impressive ODI performances, including a standout 3 for 20 against South Africa.

Who is Allah Ghazanfar?

At 6’2”, Ghazanfar’s towering presence and sharp leg-spin deliveries have drawn comparisons to greats like Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Ravichandran Ashwin. His standout performances, including a match-winning 6-wicket haul against Bangladesh in ODI cricket, coupled with his incredible economy rate of 5.71 in T20 cricket, have made him a highly sought-after commodity in the IPL.

Ghazanfar’s potential to turn games around with his deceptive carrom balls and bounce makes him an exciting addition to Mumbai Indians’ bowling arsenal. With his IPL journey now taking off, fans are eager to see how the young Afghan leg-spinner fares in the upcoming season, especially after his stints with KKR and his rapidly rising profile on the international stage.

Allah Ghazanfar's All Performance Overview

Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar has quickly risen through the ranks of world cricket, establishing himself as a formidable leg-spinner with the ability to turn games on their head. Below is a breakdown of his performances across various formats, from his early days in domestic cricket to his meteoric rise in international cricket.

1. Domestic Performances

Ghazanfar's cricketing journey began in 2020, during the pandemic. He initially started as a fast bowler but soon transitioned to a spin bowler under the guidance of Afghanistan’s Dawlat Ahmadzai. His debut in domestic cricket came in the Afghan Shpageeza Cricket League, where his performances quickly garnered attention.

• Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL): Ghazanfar's breakthrough came with the Mis Ainak Knights, where he showcased his talent in his debut season with figures of 1/27 in four overs. He followed this with a strong second outing, taking four wickets in a match.
• Pakistan Junior League (PJL) 2022: He played for Rawalpindi Raiders and continued to impress with his bowling, showing his growing prowess in various formats.

2. International Performances

ODI Cricket:

Ghazanfar has become a key player in Afghanistan's limited-overs setup, particularly excelling in ODIs.

• Debut Match: Ghazanfar made his ODI debut in March 2024 against Ireland, becoming the youngest cricketer to debut for Afghanistan at the senior level at just 16 years and 236 days.
• Notable Performances:
  • Afghanistan vs Bangladesh (November 2024): Ghazanfar took 6 wickets for 26 runs (6/26) against Bangladesh, which helped establish him as a rising star in world cricket.
  • Afghanistan vs South Africa (September 2024): He took 3 wickets for 20 runs in 10 overs, showcasing his ability to bowl under pressure.

ODI Stats:

• Matches Played: 5
• Wickets Taken: 11
• Best Bowling: 6/26 (vs Bangladesh)
• Average: 17.2
• Economy Rate: 4.50

T20 International Performances:

Ghazanfar’s T20I career has been impressive, as he is known for his ability to contain runs and pick up wickets in the middle overs.

• Performance Highlights: Ghazanfar has played in 16 T20 matches, taking 29 wickets at an economical rate of 5.71 runs per over.
• Best Bowling: 4/18, demonstrating his ability to take key wickets during pressure moments of the game.

T20 Stats:

• Matches Played: 16
• Wickets Taken: 29
• Best Bowling: 4/18
• Economy Rate: 5.71

Under-19 Cricket:

Before his senior debut, Ghazanfar was a standout player in Afghanistan's Under-19 team. His impressive performances in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, including a critical 3-wicket performance against New Zealand, helped Afghanistan make their mark on the global stage.

3. IPL Performances and Career

Although Ghazanfar is relatively new to the Indian Premier League (IPL), his journey has already been exciting.

• 2024 IPL: Ghazanfar was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a replacement player for the injured Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Although he didn’t get a game during the season, his inclusion in the squad underscored his growing reputation in global T20 cricket.
• 2025 IPL: Ghazanfar was purchased by Mumbai Indians for ₹4.80 crore in the IPL Auction 2025. His performances in the domestic leagues and international cricket have positioned him as one of the rising stars of the IPL. Fans are eagerly anticipating his debut season, where his skills in the middle overs and his ability to take wickets will be crucial for MI’s success.