The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has instructed Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from its squad for the 2026 season, granting the team permission to sign a replacement player.
The directive, confirmed on Saturday, marks a significant development in the intersection of sport and regional politics, coming weeks after Mustafizur was signed for a record fee at the IPL auction.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the decision while speaking to an Indian news agency in Guwahati.
“Due to recent events, the BCCI has instructed the KKR franchise to release the Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from their team,” he said, adding that the board had also authorised the franchise to recruit a replacement if it wished.
Indian media reports suggest the matter had been under review for several weeks, with the board earlier awaiting broader guidance before reaching a final decision.
The move comes amid strained relations between India and Bangladesh following political changes in Dhaka in 2024, when the government of Sheikh Hasina—long viewed as a close ally of New Delhi—was removed from power. Analysts have described the period since as marked by diplomatic uncertainty between the two neighbours.
At the same time, controversy has grown in both countries over reports of communal violence. In India, incidents targeting Muslim minorities have drawn attention in recent weeks, while Bangladesh has also seen isolated cases of mob violence, including the killing of a garment worker accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. Authorities in Bangladesh said around a dozen people were arrested in connection with that incident.
Indian media outlets reported that Mustafizur Rahman’s inclusion in the KKR squad had faced mounting scrutiny. Several prominent figures publicly opposed his signing, including religious leader Devkinandan Thakur, who urged KKR management to drop the player.
Hardline Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sangeet Som also criticised KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan over the acquisition, adding to the public debate surrounding the issue.
Mustafizur was the only Bangladeshi cricketer picked during last month’s IPL auction, despite seven players from the country being listed.
KKR secured Mustafizur’s services for INR 9.20 crore, making it the highest-ever fee paid for a Bangladeshi player in IPL history. The deal surpassed his previous record of INR 6 crore, set during his stint with Delhi Capitals.
The pacer had expressed excitement after the auction, releasing a video message on KKR’s official social media channels in December.
“I am very happy and excited to be a part of the KKR team,” he said at the time.
This would have been Mustafizur’s ninth IPL season and his first with Kolkata. Over eight previous seasons, he played for five franchises, taking 65 wickets in 60 matches with an economy rate of 8.13.
He is currently featuring in the IL T20 for Dubai Capitals, where he has taken six wickets in four matches, indicating strong form ahead of the IPL season.
Many cricket supporters in Bangladesh are upset over the decision because they see Mustafizur's involvement in the IPL as both a personal triumph and a source of national pride.
Former players and analysts have been saying for a long time that playing in top competitions like the IPL helps Bangladeshi cricketers improve their abilities, boost their confidence, and bring back international experience to the national team. People are worried that political decisions could make it harder to get these kinds of chances in the future.
Some supporters are also worried that Bangladeshi players may have to deal with more scrutiny or ambiguity when they try to get contracts abroad, which might hurt their chances of making money and advancing in their careers.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board hasn't said anything formally yet, but people who watch the sport say this shows how vulnerable players from tiny cricketing countries are when political issues affect professional sports.
With the BCCI’s directive now confirmed, KKR is expected to formally release Mustafizur from its IPL 2026 squad and move to identify a replacement player. Neither the franchise nor Mustafizur has publicly commented on the decision so far.
The development underscores how broader political and diplomatic considerations can continue to influence professional sport in the region, particularly in high-profile tournaments such as the IPL.
