The Kolkata Knight Riders have officially released Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the 2026 IPL season following a direct instruction from the BCCI. The 30-year-old left-armer was the only Bangladeshi player selected in the recent mini-auction, where KKR secured him for ₹9.20 crore after a competitive bidding war with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the board's intervention, citing "recent developments all across" as the primary reason for the decision. While the board did not explicitly detail these developments, the move comes amid geopolitical tension and mounting public pressure.
Recent reports of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh had led to vocal criticism from political and spiritual leaders in India, specifically targeting KKR and its co-owner Shah Rukh Khan for the inclusion of a Bangladeshi national in the lineup.
The diplomatic relationship between India and Bangladesh has shifted following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last August. High Commissioners from both nations have been summoned multiple times recently, with India expressing deep concerns over the safety of minorities under the new interim government.
These tensions have also placed a cloud over bilateral cricket; although the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) recently announced a home series against India for September 2026, the BCCI remains non-committal regarding the schedule due to the volatile local situation.
Legally, KKR could not have acted unilaterally to drop Mustafizur without risking a breach of contract, as the BCCI had originally cleared him for the auction. A senior IPL official noted that "the franchise could not have taken an arbitrary decision," and the onus was on the board to provide a formal directive.
Mustafizur, who has previously played for five other IPL franchises and taken 65 wickets in 60 matches, is currently participating in the Bangladesh Premier League for the Rangpur Riders.
Despite the loss of their high-priced signing, the BCCI has assured KKR that they will be permitted to seek a replacement player. "The BCCI has asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from its squad. They can ask for a replacement, if needed," Saikia told PTI.
KKR added in their statement that further details regarding this replacement would be communicated in due course. The situation suggests that Bangladeshi cricketers may face similar restrictions to Pakistani players, who have been largely excluded from the league since 2008.
