Enrique NortjeThe South African fast bowler, known for his blazing pace and ability to consistently bowl at speeds in excess of 150 kmph, has been released. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) next to Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Mini auction. Nortje, who was originally retained by KKR for Rs 6.5 crore, has struggled with repeated injuries in the 2025 season, limiting his impact.
However, there are strong signs that his fitness is coming back: he was recently named in the South Africa T20I squad for the tour of India in December 2025, and he has been performing brilliantly in it. CSA T20 Challenge in South Africa, proving his readiness for competitive cricket. When fit, his genuine pace and proven ability to take wickets in the powerplay and control the middle overs makes him a high-value overseas fast-bowling specialist, ensuring that he will be one of the most sought-after overseas fast bowlers in the auction pool.
5 teams that could target Anrich Nortje in IPL 2026 mini-auction
1. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
KKR, the team that released Nortje, is entering the auction with the biggest purse of Rs 64.30 crore. The reasoning behind Nortje’s release (with) andre russell And Venkatesh Iyer) was probably a high-risk financial move to free up funds and potentially buy it back at a lower price, or acquire a fitter, higher-impact foreign alternative. KKR retained only the key Indian fast bowlers (Umran Malik, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora) But there is a lack of a proven, world-class overseas fast bowler after releasing Nortje and Spencer Johnson. Given their huge budget and immediate gap in pace bowling, KKR will be the major bidders for Nortje to regain their key overseas pace weapon.
2. Delhi Capitals (DC)
Delhi Capitals They have a healthy purse of Rs 21.80 crore and have historically relied on Nortje’s pace to strengthen their bowling attack. despite maintaining Mitchell Starc And Dushmantha ChameeraDC needs reliable fast bowling cover and a second high quality overseas fast bowler who can provide wickets and control. with Mitchell StarcDespite the high price and occasional fitness concerns, Nortje provides a genuine fast bowling partner or backup, having already delivered a successful season at the Feroz Shah Kotla (now the Arun Jaitley Stadium). DC will aim to secure a proven name like Nortje to ensure depth and high quality in their fast bowling unit.
3. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Reigning champions RCB are entering the auction with a budget of Rs 16.40 crore and badly need to strengthen their fast bowling options. lungi ngidiwhile he retained Josh HazlewoodRCB have only two overseas spots left to fill and need an impact player. Nortje’s ability to bowl at extreme pace and take vital wickets will perfectly complement Hazlewood’s line-and-length control. If RCB choose to use one of the specialist fast bowlers in their remaining two overseas slots, Nortje’s consistent pace and ability to bounce will be a major asset, providing the X-factor pace that is missing in their attacks.
Also read: 5 franchises that could target Cooper Connolly in the IPL 2026 auction
4. Gujarat Titans (GT)
Gujarat Titans (GT) They have a medium purse of Rs 12.90 crore and are looking to add an attacking, high-pace option to complement their retained fast bowlers. Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada And Prasidh KrishnaWhile they have retained three strong overseas pacers (Rabada, Starc and Hazlewood were all retained by different teams), GT needs cover and variety, Nortje offers pure pace, which is a relentless weapon, If GT decide to look for a third high-quality overseas fast bowler to rotate or use as injury cover, his ability to break partnerships and bowl fast on any surface will be highly valued, especially given their moderate but targeted spending approach,
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have a substantial purse of Rs 25.50 crore and need to strengthen their overseas pace attack. while he retained pat cummins And Ishaan MalingA, SRH has a history of investing heavily in high-pace bowlers (as seen with Umran Malik and Pat Cummins). Nortje, with his genuine pace and aggression, fits into SRH’s preferred style of bowling. His acquisition will give the team a second world-class pace overseas, ensuring they will have two devastating pace options to dominate both the powerplay and middle overs, which will suit their strategy of using pace to intimidate the opponents.
Also read: IPL 2026: 5 franchises that could target Cameron Green in the upcoming auction