The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, following mounting public and political criticism linked to his inclusion in the team’s player roster.
The decision has stirred intense debate in cricket circles and across social media, where fans questioned the timing and optics of retaining a Bangladeshi pacer in a high-profile Indian league window marked by recent diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh.
KKR, co-owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan, faced strong reactions after the squad confirmed Mustafizur’s name among its bowling options for the upcoming IPL cycle. Although the controversy is not tied to any statement made by the player, his presence in the league became a flashpoint, prompting the BCCI to step in and request his release from the franchise.
Sources close to the matter indicated that the BCCI’s communication to KKR was advisory in nature, not punitive, and framed around broader sensitivity rather than contractual breach. The board has not issued any ban or disciplinary order against the pacer, nor commented on his professional conduct, form, or fitness.
Mustafizur Rahman, one of Bangladesh’s most recognisable limited-overs bowlers, has previously played in the IPL without administrative friction. This instance, however, reflects a rare moment where cricket administration and geopolitical optics collided, placing a player decision in the national spotlight rather than the sporting one.
The BCCI has not clarified whether a formal replacement has been suggested to KKR, but confirmed that all IPL roster decisions must align with league policies and institutional review where national sensitivities are involved.
KKR is yet to issue a public statement on the development.
