Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for its decision to exclude Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Tharoor's comments came after the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise confirmed it had released the player on direct instructions from the cricket board.
Tharoor's Sharp Critique on Social Media
On Saturday, Shashi Tharoor took to social media to express his disapproval of the BCCI's move. Sharing a video, he reiterated his stance, stating, "Recalling my views on the subject, now that BCCI has deplorably pulled the plug on Mustafizur Rahman." He further questioned the underlying logic behind targeting the specific player.
Tharoor posed a pointed hypothetical scenario: "And what if the Bangladeshi player in question had been Litton Das or Soumya Sarkar?" This query suggests a search for consistency in the board's decision-making process.
The Core Issue: Punishing a Nation or an Individual?
The parliamentarian raised profound concerns about the wider implications of mixing sports with politics. He asked, "Who are we punishing here: a nation, an individual, his religion? Where will this mindless politicising of sport lead us?" His remarks imply that the action against the cricketer might be linked to broader geopolitical tensions or incidents involving minorities in Bangladesh, a connection he believes should be kept separate from the sporting arena.
The controversy stems from KKR's official media advisory, which clearly stated that the release was executed "following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India." The franchise confirmed that the BCCI, as the regulator of the IPL, directed them to release Mustafizur ahead of the new season.
Background of the Transaction and BCCI's Stance
Mustafizur Rahman was a significant purchase for the Kolkata-based franchise at last month's auction. KKR secured the left-arm pacer for a substantial sum of Rs 9.20 crore, a massive leap from his base price of Rs 2 crore, after a competitive bidding war with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia earlier clarified that the board instructed KKR to release the bowler "due to the recent developments," without providing further specific details. As per the advisory, KKR will be permitted a replacement player in accordance with IPL regulations.
This decision disrupts what would have been Mustafizur's debut season with the three-time champion side, KKR. A seasoned IPL campaigner, the 30-year-old has featured in eight seasons since 2016, playing for franchises like Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, and Rajasthan Royals.
The episode has sparked a debate on the boundaries between international sport, diplomacy, and internal politics, with Tharoor's intervention highlighting the potential precedent such decisions might set for future sporting engagements in the region.
