The BCCI has instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad, following tensions between the two nations.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has instructed KKR to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for IPL 2026. The decision was communicated on Saturday and confirmed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.
The board has also informed KKR that a replacement signing will be permitted if requested. Rahman was bought by KKR for INR 9.20 crore at the mini-auction in Abu Dhabi.
“Due to the recent developments that is going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise 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,” Hindustan Times quoted Saikia as saying.
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The move follows amid strained relations between India and Bangladesh. Political reactions have increased in recent days, with criticism directed at KKR and its co-owner, Shah Rukh Khan.
Tension increased after reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, including the death of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh last month. Public pressure continued to mount, prompting BCCI’s intervention.
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