Key Points
- BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia confirms directive to KKR for Mustafizur Rahman’s immediate removal from IPL 2026 squad
- Mustafizur was purchased for record ₹9.2 crore at Abu Dhabi mini-auction, making him most expensive Bangladeshi player ever
- Protests erupted after recent killings of two Hindus in Bangladesh, with social media campaigns targeting KKR and Shah Rukh Khan
- Mustafizur has taken 65 wickets in 60 IPL matches since 2016, previously played for five franchises
- BCCI offers replacement player approval if KKR requests, but no official word from Shah Rukh Khan’s franchise yet
- Violence against minorities in Bangladesh escalated after Sheikh Hasina’s government fell in August 2024
- Political leaders and religious groups in India demanded boycott of Bangladeshi players in IPL
The BCCI has instructed Shah Rukh Khan’s IPL team, Kolkata Knight Riders, to remove Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from the team. The demand for his removal stemmed from the violence against minority Hindus in Bangladesh. BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia said that keeping in mind the recent developments, the BCCI has asked the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release one of its players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh. The BCCI also clarified that if the franchise requests a replacement player, it will be approved.
This marks the first time in IPL history that a player has been forcibly removed from a franchise due to political pressure related to bilateral tensions. The decision comes after days of intense lobbying by political groups and widespread social media campaigns calling for a complete ban on Bangladeshi players in the tournament. Saikia stated that the board had to consider “sentiments of millions of cricket fans and the larger national interest” while making this decision.
Record-Breaking Signing Turns Controversial
KKR bought him for ₹9.2 crore. Shah Rukh Khan’s franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, acquired him for ₹9.2 crore at the IPL mini-auction held in Abu Dhabi last month. With this, he became the most expensive Bangladeshi player in IPL history. The left-arm pacer’s base price was ₹2 crore, but intense bidding war between KKR, Gujarat Titans, and Lucknow Super Giants drove his price to nearly five times that amount.
The acquisition was initially celebrated by KKR fans as a major coup, given Mustafizur’s experience and track record in death overs. The franchise’s think tank had identified him as a key bowler for matches at Eden Gardens, where his cutters and slower deliveries could exploit the surface. However, the political storm that followed has turned this strategic investment into a public relations nightmare for the Bollywood superstar-owned team.
Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL Journey
Mustafizur Rahman is considered one of Bangladesh’s leading fast bowlers and has played in several T20 leagues around the world. He has been participating in the IPL since 2016. The Bangladeshi player has previously played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings. Mustafizur Rahman has taken 65 wickets in 60 matches in the IPL so far. Notably, in the recently concluded IPL 2026 auction, Kolkata Knight Riders bought him for a hefty sum of ₹9.20 crore.
His best IPL season came in 2016 with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he took 17 wickets and helped the team win their maiden title. Known as “The Fizz,” his unique bowling action and ability to bowl effective slower deliveries made him a sought-after bowler in T20 leagues globally. He has also played in the Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League, and Bangladesh Premier League, amassing over 250 T20 wickets across all franchises.
The Bangladesh Crisis and Backlash
Protests after the killing of Hindus. After Mustafizur Rahman’s inclusion in the team, KKR faced heavy criticism on social media. Fans, along with some politicians and religious leaders, questioned the Bangladeshi player’s participation in the IPL. Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024, political instability has increased in Bangladesh, and several violent incidents have been reported. Following the recent killings of two Hindus, protests against Bangladesh have intensified across the country.
The specific incident that triggered the outrage occurred on December 28, 2025, when a Hindu temple priest and a shopkeeper were killed in alleged attacks by Islamist groups in Dhaka and Chittagong. Graphic videos of the incidents circulated widely on Indian social media platforms, sparking calls for economic and cultural boycott of Bangladesh. Several right-wing organizations in India organized protests outside BCCI headquarters in Mumbai and Eden Gardens in Kolkata, demanding immediate action.
Political Pressure Mounts on BCCI
The issue quickly escalated from social media outrage to political intervention. Members of Parliament from ruling and opposition parties raised the matter in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. A delegation of Hindu religious leaders met with BCCI officials, presenting a memorandum signed by over 500,000 people demanding Mustafizur’s removal. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal organized nationwide protests, burning effigies of Bangladeshi flags outside cricket stadiums.
West Bengal’s political dynamics added another layer of complexity, with the state assembly passing a resolution condemning violence against minorities in Bangladesh. Opposition parties in the state accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of maintaining silence on the issue due to political considerations. The BJP’s state unit specifically targeted Shah Rukh Khan, questioning his “silence on Hindu persecution.”
Financial and Legal Implications
The BCCI’s directive raises complex legal questions about player contracts and franchise rights. KKR’s ₹9.2 crore investment in Mustafizur represents a significant financial commitment, including associated brand value and merchandising deals. Legal experts suggest the franchise may seek compensation from the BCCI for the forced termination, citing breach of auction agreements.
The IPL Governing Council is reportedly working on a framework to handle similar situations in the future, possibly including clauses that allow political considerations in player selection. This could fundamentally alter how international players are recruited, with franchises becoming more cautious about signing players from countries with which India has tense relations.
Reactions from the Cricket Community
The decision has divided the cricket fraternity. Former Indian cricketers have largely supported the BCCI’s move, citing national sentiment. However, international players’ associations have expressed concern about mixing politics with sport. The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) issued a statement calling for “sport to remain free from political interference.”
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally protested the decision, calling it “discriminatory and against the spirit of cricket.” BCB President Nazmul Hassan stated that the board is considering withdrawing Bangladeshi players from all future IPL auctions if the decision is not reversed. This could impact other Bangladeshi players like Shakib Al Hasan and Liton Das, who have been regular IPL participants.
Latest Updates and Future Course
As of January 3, 2026, KKR has not officially responded to the BCCI directive. Sources within the franchise indicate that Shah Rukh Khan is personally reviewing the situation and may issue a statement soon. The team management is reportedly considering legal options while also evaluating potential replacement players.
Australian pacer Jason Behrendorff and South Africa’s Marco Jansen are among potential replacements being discussed. The IPL Governing Council has given KKR a deadline of January 7, 2026, to finalize their squad changes. Mustafizur Rahman, who was training in Dhaka for the upcoming season, has canceled his travel plans to India and is consulting with his lawyers and the BCB regarding potential legal action.
The incident sets a precedent that could affect future IPL auctions and India’s cricketing relations with other nations. With the IPL 2026 season scheduled to begin in March, the controversy has cast a shadow over what is usually a celebration of cricket. The BCCI now faces the challenge of balancing commercial interests, diplomatic relations, and domestic political pressures in the world’s most lucrative cricket league.
