The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has ordered Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the squad for the 2026 IPL season.
The BCCI said that this decision has been taken considering the recent overall situation and the political context between India and Bangladesh.
BCCI Secretary Debjit Saikia told Indian news agency ANI that due to the current situation, KKR has been asked to release Mustafizur Rahman and has been given permission to replace him.
It is worth noting that KKR bought Mustafizur Rahman for Rs 9.2 crore in the IPL mini-auction on December 16, the highest price for a Bangladeshi cricketer in the IPL. However, the matter has been the subject of political controversy in India since the auction. Various political and religious figures opposed KKR’s decision and criticized it, citing security and diplomatic issues.
The BCCI finally intervened amid mounting political pressure and controversy, leaving Mustafizur Rahman’s chances of playing for KKR in the 2026 IPL uncertain.