Mumbai: For Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, the Indian Premier League wasn’t just another tournament—it was a turning point in his life. After smashing consecutive fifties against India in January 2024, Naib was told that an IPL contract might be coming, though he brushed it off since the auction was already over and squads were finalised.
But a few weeks into the 2024 IPL season, the call finally came.
Naib was signed as a replacement for Mitchell Marsh by the Delhi Capitals, instantly landing him in a dressing room featuring Rishabh Pant, Ricky Ponting, David Warner, Axar Patel, and even insights from Sourav Ganguly.
“It changed my life,” Naib said, recalling late-night cricket discussions with Pant, tactical lessons from Ponting, and confidence-building sessions with senior players. The experience, despite playing only two matches, helped reshape his mindset ahead of the T20 World Cup, where Afghanistan reached their first-ever ICC semifinal.
Now part of the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 2025/26 season, Naib spoke to Hindustan Times about his IPL journey and his ambition for a return. He has entered the IPL 2026 mini-auction at a base price of INR 1 crore.
“I want another chance. The IPL made me a better cricketer,” he said, emphasising how global T20 leagues have played a key role in Afghanistan’s rise at major tournaments.
Naib believes tournaments like the IPL and ILT20 have prepared Afghanistan players for high-pressure situations, helping them compete consistently on the world stage.
As the mini-auction approaches, the Afghanistan all-rounder hopes for another dream call—one that could reshape his IPL story all over again.
