BCCI removes Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from IPL 2026

Originally posted on Crictoday | Last updated Jan 3, 2026 3:44 AM ET

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday instructed the three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their team for the the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Devajit Saikia, who is the secretary of the Indian Cricket Board, told news agency ANI that the decision was taken due to incidents of several Hindus being targeted in Bangladesh. The board would allow KKR to sign a replacement player once Rahman is removed.

“Due to the recent developments which is going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchisee KKR to release one of their player Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh from their squad and BCCI has also said that if they ask for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that replacement,” said Saikia.

#WATCH | Guwahati | BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia says, "Due to the recent developments that are going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad and BCCI has also said that if they ask… pic.twitter.com/53oxuRcmZp
— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2026

Rahman was signed for INR 9.20 crore in the mini-auction in Abu Dhabi. Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings were involved in an intense bidding for the speedster, with the former winning in the end. However, Shah Rukh Khan, the co-owner of KKR, has been slammed for buying the pacer despite the ongoing dispute between India and Bangladesh.

Several political figures have lambasted Shah Rukh Khan and KKR for not giving importance to national sentiments. The ties between India and Bangladesh have hit rock bottom after the death of Dipu Chandra Das last month.

Several incidents of violence against Hindus have been reported. Earlier, BJP leader Sangeet Som called Shah Rukh Khan a gaddar for signing a player from Bangladesh.

However, the BCCI secretary didn’t say anything about the tour of Bangladesh, where India will compete in three ODIs and three T20Is in September. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has already announced the schedule. The matches were supposed to be conducted last year in August, but had to be postponed due to unrest in Bangladesh.

Earlier, Rahman was given a no-objection certificate by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to play for KKR.

He played for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, picking up four wickets in three matches.

He has played 60 matches in the Indian Premier League, taking 65 wickets. He has also played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings.

This article first appeared on Crictoday and was syndicated with permission.

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