He managed only two wickets in four matches, averaging 81.
The Gujarat Titans (GT) were among the top four teams that qualified for the playoffs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. They finished third in the points table with nine wins and 18 points. The Shubman Gill-led side suffered a heartbreaking defeat against the Mumbai Indians in the eliminator. Their journey was driven by the top-order batters and pacers. The franchise’s fast bowlers took 56 wickets throughout the tournament, averaging 31.94 and at an economy of 9.65. But there was one player who disappointed the most, while there were too many expectations from him: Kagiso Rabada.
The right-arm pacer missed out on 11 matches after he had to return home to serve a provisional suspension from Cricket South Africa. Rabada had admitted to allegedly testing positive for recreational drug use. Additionally, he failed to live up to his standards in IPL 2025 after GT acquired his services for a hefty price of INR 10.75 crore. He managed only two wickets in four matches, averaging 81 and at an economy rate of 11.57. Thus, his underwhelming performance might lead the Gujarat Titans to rethink Rabada’s case for the upcoming season.
Let’s check three teams that would be interested in Kagiso Rabada at the IPL 2026 mini auction, if he is released by GT.
AUSA-W
–
INDA-W
–
BVB
191/4
AMR
193/7
Amaravati Royals beat Bhimavaram Bulls by 3 wickets
VSS
185/8
SVL
178/2
ROR
–
TBW
–
VSS
–
BVB
–
ODW
149/8
CDK
161/8
Central Delhi Kings beat Outer Delhi Warriors by 12 runs
PD
182/8
EDR
148/0
ZGW
71/8
ZAS
129/5
Zagreb Sokol beat Zagreb Warriors by 58 runs
ZAS
134/7
SOS
91/4
Zagreb Sokol beat Sir Oliver Split by 43 runs
ZGW
100/6
RJM
103/4
Rijeka Markhors beat Zagreb Warriors by 6 wickets
ZAS
109/2
SOS
108/4
Zagreb Sokol beat Sir Oliver Split by 8 wickets
ZGW
103/4
RJM
138/6
Rijeka Markhors won by 35 runs
RJM
–
SOS
–
ZGA
–
RJM
–
SOS
–
ZGA
–
ZGW
–
SOS
–
ZGA
–
RJM
–
YOR
272/3
LAN
294/7
DURH
–
MID
–
LEI
–
NOT
–
BB
–
KENT
–
WOR
–
HAM
–
SURR
–
GLAM
–
GTC
142/4
CCC
138/5
Gauhati Town Club beat City Cricket Club by 6 wickets
BCC
123/10
NAJC
124/5
Nabajyoti Club beat Bud Cricket Club by 5 wickets
BCC
–
GUG
–
LLG
–
MUR
–
NK
–
NWW
–
BNC
2/0
KZK
–
TCC
–
KUMS
–
JJ
–
SBSCC
–
NCMI
–
BCC
–
KLPR
101/1
JOR
100/10
Kuala Lumpur beat Johor by 9 wickets
PRK
106/5
SEL
101/10
Perak beat Selangor by 5 wickets
HBT
216/4
SML
187/6
Hubli Tigers beat Shivamogga Lions by 29 runs
MYW
184/9
GBM
48/1
BNB
–
HBT
–
MGD
–
SML
–
WI
294/6
PAK
24/4
SLBL
–
SLGY
–
AUS
165/10
SA
218/7
South Africa beat Australia by 53 runs
BIP
–
OVI
–
SOB
–
NOS
–
WEF
–
MAO
–
BIP-W
152/6
OIW-W
174/5
Oval Invincibles Women beat Birmingham Phoenix Women by 22 runs
SBW-W
–
NOS-W
–
WFW-W
–
MOW-W
–
The IPL 2024 Champions had numerous struggles in the last edition. But they largely struggled with their pace bowling attack, especially with foreign resources. KKR’s fast bowling unit was the second most expensive (10.71 rpo) after the Lucknow Super Giants (10.78 rpo). Their overseas seamers, Spencer Johnson and Anrich Nortje, together managed one wicket apiece. Johnson took one wicket in four games, averaging 133 and an economy rate of 11.53, while Nortje leaked runs at an economy of 11.85 and averaged 83.
Hence, the Knight Riders might seek an overseas pacer with a proven record and vast experience, and Rabada perfectly fits in there. The South African has been a part of the IPL for nearly a decade and has 119 wickets to his name. The tall pacer won the Purple Cap while representing Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2020, when he took 30 wickets in 17 matches. He recently took a fifer in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final to power South Africa to their maiden ICC title in 27 years. He also boasts a pretty decent record at Eden Gardens, having taken four wickets in three outings. His experience might also help groom youngsters like Vaibhav Arora, Ramandeep Singh, and Harshit Rana.
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Lucknow Super Giants’ pace attack had the worst numbers in IPL 2025. Their seamer leaked runs at an economy of 10.78 for the entire tournament. At the start of the tournament, LSG’s bowling unit featured only one overseas pacer – Shamar Joseph, who didn’t play a single game in the season. Later, the franchise roped in William O’Rourke as a replacement player for Mayank Yadav. Though O’Rourke straightaway made an impact, he is very new to T20 cricket, having played only seven T20Is.
Rabada will not only be an overseas option and provide raw pace, but he can also lead the bowling attack. His experience could be valuable in different conditions and situations. His recent form across all formats bolsters his case, and his records at Ekana Stadium add weight to it. The 30-year-old has taken three wickets in two outings, averaging 24 and a strike rate of nine. He will nicely complete pacers like Akash Deep, Avesh Khan, and Mohsin Khan.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fast bowlers had an underwhelming IPL 2025 season. Apart from Khaleel Ahmed, no other pacer had anything to remember. Their most expensive seamer, Matheesha Pathirana, who was retained for INR 13 crore, managed 13 wickets in 12 matches, averaging 32.61. But the most glaring issue was his economy, as he conceded runs at an economy of 10.13. He bowled a wide almost every time he was brought into the attack. Apart from him, no pacer crossed the 10-wicket mark. Anshul Kamboj took eight wickets in as many matches, while Sam Curran, Nathan Ellis, and Mukesh Choudhary took one wicket each.
CSK likes experienced players, and Rabada could fit in perfectly. While the right-arm pacer can share a new ball with Khaleel Ahmad, he can bowl in the death. He was mainly used as a middle-order enforcer by Punjab Kings in IPL 2024. His record at the MA Chidambaram Stadium is also impressive, having picked up a wicket at an economy of 7.64.
