Three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday released Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), citing “recent developments” amid strained bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh.

What happened

• KKR had bought the 30-year-old left-arm pacer for ₹9.2 crore at last month’s auction after a bidding war with CSK and DC, making him the only Bangladeshi player sold.
• BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the instruction to release the player and said KKR would be allowed a replacement as per IPL rules.
• KKR later confirmed the release, stating it followed due process and consultations with the BCCI.

Mustafizur’s IPL record

• 60 wickets in 65 matches
• Played for SRH, MI, RR, CSK and DC across eight IPL seasons
• With his release, IPL 2026 will have no Bangladeshi players

Reactions

• The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul called an emergency meeting to assess the situation.
• UP minister Narendra Kashyap (BJP) welcomed the move, saying it reflected “national sentiment.”
• Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticised the decision, warning against the “mindless politicising of sport” and questioning the fairness of penalising an individual player.

Broader context

• India–Bangladesh relations have been tense since August 2024, following political changes in Dhaka.
• Recent protests in Bangladesh and diplomatic exchanges have further strained ties.
• Geopolitics has previously affected IPL participation—Pakistani players have been excluded since 2009 after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
• While Bangladesh has announced a September ODI and T20I series vs India, it remains unclear whether the BCCI will permit the tour.

Bottom line: The BCCI’s instruction led to Mustafizur Rahman’s release from KKR, underscoring how geopolitical tensions can spill into sport, even as the IPL prepares to name a replacement under league regulations.