Last Updated: April 29, 2026 03:37 PM
Afghanistan cricket keeps producing explosive batting talents consistently these days. One name stands out among their current generation of aggressive players. His wicket-keeping skills combine perfectly with a fearless opening batting style.
The T20 World Cup 2026 showcases his abilities on cricket’s biggest stage. He recently smashed 84 runs off just 42 balls against South Africa. That knock reminded everyone why franchises value him so highly globally.
Kolkata Knight Riders invested in his talent for three IPL seasons. But the 2026 auction brought surprising news for his fans. Let’s explore what makes Rahmanullah Gurbaz such an exciting cricketer overall.
About Rahmanullah Gurbaz
International Stats
Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been absolutely smashing it for Afghanistan in white-ball cricket. Over 1,800 ODI runs came from just 52 matches he’s played. His T20I numbers look even crazier with 2,200+ runs from 87+ games!
Six ODI hundreds already sit next to his name at this young age. Remember the 2023 World Cup? Gurbaz turned heads everywhere with those explosive knocks. His T20I strike rate proves he attacks from ball one always.
| Format | Matches | Runs | High Score | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 52 | 1,888 | 151 | 37.02 | 87.25 |
| T20I | 87 | 2,284 | 100 | 26.25 | 135.79 |
| Test | 2 | 97 | 46 | 24.25 | 56.73 |
IPL 2026 Stats
Here’s the shocker – Rahmanullah Gurbaz isn’t playing IPL 2026. KKR let him go after last season ended weirdly. Nobody grabbed him at the auction despite what he can do.
Missing this season means Gurbaz focuses completely on the 2027 World Cup right now. Afghanistan gets its star opener fresh and ready every match. His 2026 stats section stays blank unfortunately, which seems like a missed opportunity.
IPL Stats Overall
KKR paid Rs 2 crore for Rahmanullah Gurbaz back in 2025. He suited up for 19 matches across three years with them. Those appearances brought 363 runs with a couple of fifties mixed in.
| Matches | Runs | HS | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | Sixes | Fours | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 363 | 81 (vs GT) | 21.35 | 134.94 | 2 | 22 | 34 | 17 |
His best IPL knock was 81 runs in that season. Striking at 134.94 shows he never stopped attacking bowlers really. The average of 21.35 could’ve been better but he played his natural game.
Gurbaz smacked 34 boundaries and launched 22 sixes during his IPL career. As keeper, he pouched 17 catches cleanly behind the stumps. KKR wanted that aggressive opening spark initially but things didn’t work out long-term.
