The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has directed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to remove Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the IPL 2026 season. The decision comes amid rising tensions between India and Bangladesh after reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that KKR has been instructed to release the left-arm pacer and will be allowed to name a replacement.
“Due to the recent developments which is going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchisee KKR to release one of their player Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh from their squad and BCCI has also said that if they ask for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that replacement,” Saikia told ANI.
#WATCH | Guwahati | BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia says, “Due to the recent developments that are going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad and BCCI has also said that if they ask… pic.twitter.com/53oxuRcmZp
— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2026
KKR had bought Mustafizur for ₹9.20 crore during the IPL mini-auction in Abu Dhabi after a bidding war with Chennai Super Kings.
Why Mustafizur Rahman’s signing sparked controversy
The signing of Mustafizur by KKR became controversial after the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man, in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district last month. This incident, along with other reported attacks on Hindus, caused anger across India.
As tensions between India and Bangladesh grew, many questioned why KKR had signed a Bangladeshi player despite the political and social situation.
Political leaders attack Shah Rukh Khan and KKR
Several leaders from the BJP and Shiv Sena criticised KKR and its co-owner Shah Rukh Khan for going ahead with the signing.
BJP leader Sangeet Som even called Shah Rukh Khan a “gaddar (traitor)” for backing the Bangladesh player during such a sensitive period.
#WATCH | Ghaziabad, UP | On BCCI asking Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, BJP leader Sangeet Singh Som says, “Thanks to BCCI for its decision in view of the 100 crore Sanatanis of India. We said yesterday that cognisance… pic.twitter.com/1nQQJk1SmK
— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2026
Public pressure mounted as more reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh emerged, leading to widespread demands that Mustafizur be removed from the squad.
BCCI silent on India’s upcoming Bangladesh tour
While confirming Mustafizur’s release, the BCCI did not comment on India’s scheduled tour of Bangladesh. India are set to play three ODIs and three T20Is in Bangladesh in September 2026.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) recently announced that India will arrive in Dhaka on August 28. The tour had earlier been postponed due to unrest in the country.
Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL career so far
After being signed by KKR, Mustafizur had received a no-objection certificate from the Bangladesh Cricket Board to skip a home series against New Zealand and play the IPL.
In IPL 2025, he featured for Delhi Capitals as a replacement player and picked up four wickets in three matches.
Across his IPL career, Mustafizur has played 60 matches and taken 65 wickets. He has represented Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings in previous seasons.
