The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board has officially requested Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh pace spearhead Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of the IPL 2026 season. This marks the conclusion of weeks of controversy surrounding this high-profile signing.
Concerns arose following reports of violent acts against members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh in December, leading critics to voice their disapproval of Rahman’s participation in the IPL. This issue transcended cricket, becoming a political and social concern.
“The BCCI has instructed KKR to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, while also allowing the franchise to name a replacement,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated.
Rahman became a subject of much discussion after KKR acquired him for a record Rs 9.20 crore at the December mini-auction, making him the most expensive Bangladeshi cricketer ever signed for the IPL. He was picked from a base price of Rs 2 crore in a fiercely competitive bidding war involving the Chennai Super Kings and the Delhi Capitals.
However, KKR has not yet released a public statement regarding the BCCI’s decision, though it is anticipated that they will comply by the time the season begins.
Previously, spiritual teacher Devkinandan Thakur publicly criticized KKR and its co-owner, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, for signing Rahman. Thakur noted that followers of the Sanatan Dharma, particularly Hindus, were offended by KKR’s choice, given the current situation regarding atrocities committed against the Hindu population in the neighboring country.
Rahman’s IPL credentials are noteworthy. The 30-year-old has taken 65 wickets in 60 matches at an economy rate of 8.13 since making his IPL debut with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. He has played for several franchises, including the Mumbai Inddigihunt (2018), Rajasthan Royals (2021), Delhi Capitals (2022-23), and Chennai Super Kings (2024). After CSK did not make it to the playoffs, Rahman was released and returned to DC last season to replace Australian player Jake Fraser-McGurk, who was sidelined due to injury.