Anrich Nortjehis fuel pace and the south African pacer consistently above 150 kmph, was released Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction. First, Nortje struggled through the 2025 season with recurring injuries that limited his impact.
However, there are strong indications that his fitness is returning: he was recently named in the T20I squad for India’s Tour East in December 2025, and he has done a great job CSA T20 Challenge In South Africa, to prove that he is ready for competitive cricket. When fit, his authentic pace and ability to take wickets in the powerplay and control the middle order make him a highly valued bowling specialist at the top level, ensuring he will be one of the most sought after foreign pacers in the auction pool.
5 teams who can target Anrich Nortje in IPL 2026 mini-auction
1. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
KKR, a Nortje broadcast team, enters the auction with the biggest purse of INR 64.30 crore. The logic behind Nortje’s release (with Andre Russell and Venkatesh eats) was probably a high-risk financial move to free up funds and potentially buy it at a low price or acquire a locksmith, high-impact option. KKR only kept the base of the Indian packers (Umran Malik, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora) But there hasn’t been a proven, world-class PACE leader since the release of Nortje and Spencer Johnson. Given their massive budget and immediate gap in PACE bowling, KKR’s premiers will be prime contenders for Nortje to regain PACE arms.
2. Delhi Capitals (DC)
Capitals of Delhi Keep a healthy purse of 21.80 crore and have historically relied on the pace of Historic Nortje to anchor their bowling attack. Despite being kept Mitchell Starc and Dushmantha ChameeraDC need reliable pace bowling and a high-quality second outside pacer who can take wickets and control. With Mitchell StarcThe high cost and occasional fitness concerns make Nortje a genuine bowler or back-up who has already delivered successful seasons at Feroz Shah Kotla (now at the Arun Jaitley Stadium). DC is aiming to provide a proven name like Nortje to ensure depth and top quality in their fast bowling units.
3. Royal Paintings Bengaluru (RCB)
RCB, the defending champions, enter the auction at INR 16.40 crore and a significant need to bolster the released PACE picks Success. While saving Josh HazlewoodHe has two slots which RCB needs and needs an impact player with only one outfield slot. Nortje’s ability to bowl at extreme pace and take decisive wickets will complement Hazlewood perfectly and his length management works. If RCB choose to use one of their two remaining outside slots on a specialist pacer, Nortje’s ability to deliver consistent pace and bounce will be a huge asset, providing the missing X-Factor pace in their attack.
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4. Gujarat Titans (GT)
Gujarat Titans (GT) It has an average purse of INR 12.90 crore and we are keen to add an aggressive, high-paced option to complement its retained pacers. Muhammad Siraj, Kagiso Rabada and Prasidh Krishna. With three strong outside pacers (retained by different teams in Rabada, Starc and Hazlewood), GT needs cover and variety. The Nortje offers pure speed, a ruthless weapon. If GT decides to look for a third high-quality external pacer, either to use as damage cover or a cup that is fast on any surface, it would be appreciated, especially given their moderate but targeted spending approach.
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) A substantial purse of 25.50 crore and external PACE attack should be strengthened. While saving Pat cummins and Eshan MalingA, SRH has a history of investing heavily in high pace bowlers (as seen with Umran Malik and Pat Cummins). Nortje is most suited to SRH’s bowling style with his authentic pace and aggression. His acquisition would provide the team with two devastating PACE options to make the team a second world-class fast bowler, both from a strategy of using pace to terrorize opponents, and to make both the middle order and the middle overs.
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