In a dramatic turn of events, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise has been forced to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The decision came on Saturday following a direct instruction from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the league's governing body.
The BCCI Directive and Franchise Response
The franchise confirmed the development through an official media advisory. KKR stated that the BCCI, as the regulator of the IPL, instructed them to release Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the new season. The release was executed after due process and consultations. According to the statement, the BCCI will permit KKR to name a replacement player in line with the tournament's regulations.
This move comes just months after KKR acquired the left-arm pacer for a significant sum of Rs 9.20 crore during the IPL auction held in December. The selection, however, quickly spiraled into a major political controversy within India.
Political Firestorm Over Player's Nationality
The backlash was triggered by reports of recent mob violence and lynching incidents targeting Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. This context led to strong objections from certain political quarters against the inclusion of a player from Bangladesh in the high-profile Indian league.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly opposed the selection. BJP leader Sangeet Som launched a sharp attack on KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, labeling him a "traitor" for investing in a player from a country where, he claimed, atrocities were occurring. Uttar Pradesh Minister Narendra Kashyap welcomed the BCCI's intervention, stating it respected national sentiment.
Congress Rallies in Support, Questions BCCI
In contrast, leaders from the Congress party came out in support of the cricketer and questioned the politicization of sports. Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor argued that sports should be kept separate from political tensions. "Mustafizur Rahman is a cricketer and has nothing to do with any of these things," Tharoor told reporters, emphasizing that the player had no personal role in the violence.
Tharoor cautioned against isolating neighboring countries through such actions. Congress leader Priyank Kharge, in a post on social media platform X, criticized the BJP's stance. He pointed out that overseas players participate based on BCCI and IPL rules, and questioned why the board allowed Bangladeshi players in the auction pool if there was an issue.
Congress MP Tariq Anwar defended Shah Rukh Khan, calling it inappropriate to target the actor for a decision involving regulatory permissions. Party colleague Supriya Shrinate shifted the focus to the BCCI and ICC, asking who permitted Bangladeshi players into the auction pool in the first place, and specifically called for an answer from Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary and ICC chair.
Broader Reactions and Background
The controversy drew mixed reactions from other public figures. Former Indian cricketer and World Cup winner Madan Lal supported Shah Rukh Khan, stating the actor had no direct role in team selection and that the decision ultimately lay with the BCCI and central government. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi of the All India Muslim Jamaat saw no act of betrayal in the selection, while Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi of the All India Imam Organisation demanded an apology from Shah Rukh Khan.
The political friction is rooted in reports of violence in Bangladesh. Incidents cited include the death of Dipu Chandra Das, who was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy charges in Mymensingh district on December 18, 2025. Another case involved the lynching of a Hindu youth, Amrit Mondal, in Rajbari district. These events followed protests and the killing of student leader Osman Hadi.
What Happens Next for KKR?
With Mustafizur Rahman officially released, the Kolkata Knight Riders will now turn their attention to selecting a replacement player as permitted by the IPL. The franchise, owned by a consortium including Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, will aim to fill the void left by the Rs 9.20 crore acquisition. The incident underscores the complex intersection of sports, politics, and international relations that the IPL, as a global sporting spectacle, occasionally navigates.
