Follow UsGus Atkinson made a memorable return from a hamstring injury, picking up 5/33 in 21.4 overs during the fifth and final Test against India at The Oval. The right-arm pacer now has 60 Test wickets at an impressive average of 21, and with his pace and skills, has the potential to succeed in T20 cricket as well.
Atkinson has taken 72 wickets in 56 T20 matches at an average of 21.26 and an economy rate of under 9 - solid numbers in today’s high-scoring era. He was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2024 IPL auction but withdrew before the tournament commenced. In the following year’s auction, he went unsold.
Atkinson is yet to play in the IPL, but that could change in 2026. Here are three teams that could look to sign him in the 2026 auction:
RR’s seam attack struggled badly in IPL 2025, recording the worst bowling average (45.2) and third-worst economy rate (10.6) among all teams. Bowlers like Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Madhwal, and Kwena Maphaka all averaged above 37. Their lack of penetration with the ball was one of the main reasons why they finished ninth. A fresh and fiery option like Atkinson could help turn things around.
MI usually go with two overseas seamers in their playing XI. While Trent Boult (22 wickets at 23.5) delivered in 2025, others like Richard Gleeson and Reece Topley failed to make a mark. With Deepak Chahar bowling with the new ball and Jasprit Bumrah handling the death overs, Atkinson could fit in as a middle-over enforcer who can crank up the pace and take crucial wickets.
KKR struggled in the absence of Mitchell Starc, and their pacers had the second-worst economy rate (10.8) last season. Neither Spencer Johnson nor Anrich Nortje could fill the void. KKR had signed Atkinson in 2024 before he withdrew. Don’t be surprised if they go after him again in 2026, this time for good.