The Kolkata Knight Riders have released Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Indian Premier League franchise confirmed on Saturday.
The decision comes amid heightened diplomatic and political tensions between India and Bangladesh, which intensified last month after protests erupted near Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi over the killing of a Hindu factory worker in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district. Authorities arrested 12 people in connection with the incident.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told Indian news agency ANI that the board instructed KKR to release one of its players due to recent developments.
“Considering the situation, the BCCI has directed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad,” Saikia said. “The franchise may request a replacement player, which the BCCI will allow under IPL rules.”
Later in the day, KKR confirmed Mustafizur’s release in an official statement and said it would share further details on a replacement in due course.
"Due to the recent developments which is 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 for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that… pic.twitter.com/EBMzuFUvrE
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) January 3, 2026Mustafizur, 30, has featured for several IPL franchises in previous seasons, including Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, and Delhi Capitals. He has taken 65 wickets in 60 IPL matches.
KKR signed him at last month’s auction for INR92 million (about $1.02 million), making him the most expensive Bangladeshi player in IPL history.
Indian media reported that the signing triggered strong reactions from political and religious figures. Some critics publicly targeted KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan, urging the franchise to reverse the decision. Hindu religious leader Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya reportedly labelled Khan a “traitor,” while another religious figure, Devkinandan Thakur, demanded the player’s removal.
Read: IPL 2026 Auction: KKR Sign Cameron Green for Record Overseas Fee
Political criticism also followed. Leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) called for excluding Bangladeshi players and urged franchises to prioritise Indian cricketers. Party leader Sanjay Nirupam said the government should intervene to prevent further controversy.
Reuters said it had approached Mustafizur for comment. The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League begins on March 26, following the T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February. Under IPL regulations, KKR can name a replacement player before the tournament begins.
