The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to drop Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for IPL 2026 due to Indian politics.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed to news agency ANI that the board had “instructed” KKR to release Mustafizur “due to the recent developments which are going on all across,” a vague reference widely understood to point to geo-political tensions between India and Bangladesh.
Saikia added that if KKR sought a replacement, the BCCI would permit it, effectively formalizing Mustafizur’s removal from the tournament.
While the BCCI has not officially spelled out its reasoning, the Indian media in recent days has amplified criticism from spiritual and political figures who objected to KKR and their co-owner Shah Rukh Khan fielding a Bangladeshi player at a time when reports of attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh are making headlines.
The decision comes against the backdrop of a sharp downturn in India–Bangladesh relations since the August 2024 ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, followed by tit‑for‑tat visa freezes, diplomatic protests, and unrest near missions and consulates.
Mustafizur, one of the most recognizable Bangladeshi names in franchise cricket, has been a regular in the IPL since 2016, turning out for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings.
He has taken 65 wickets in 60 IPL matches, and was signed by KKR at last year’s auction for INR 9.2 crore. Crucially, Mustafizur was the only Bangladeshi player to secure an IPL contract for the 2026 season.
He is currently featuring in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) for Rangpur Riders, with no disciplinary or form-related issues that would normally justify such an abrupt exit.
پاکستان کے خلاف بنگلہ دیش اقدامات کرتا رہے۔تو انڈیا والے بہن کا رشتہ بھی دیں گے بنگالیوں کو۔