'DC needed someone to open bowling with Starc', says Abhinav Mukund on Auqib Dar’s IPL 2026 deal

NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund hailed Auqib Dar's long-awaited break on the Indian Premier League (IPL) stage after the Jammu and Kashmir pacer bagged an Rs 8.40 crore deal from Delhi Capitals in the mini-auction held recently.

Mukund said Delhi Capitals needed someone to open bowling alongside veteran Australian pacer Mitchell Starc in their squad in the upcoming IPL, and Auqib is the opening bowling option DC was looking for.

Starting at a base price of Rs 30 lakh, Auqib sparked an intense bidding war between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Sunrisers, but the 29-year-old pacer from Baramulla was snapped up by DC.

"I am very happy for Auqib Dar. He has played for a long time for Jammu and Kashmir and finally gets a chance on this big stage. Delhi Capitals needed powerplay bowling options. Some people question his death bowling, but he will learn at a tough ground like Delhi.