BCCI asks Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur

The BCCI has "instructed" Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for IPL 2026 because of "recent developments", possibly referring to geo-political developments in the region.

"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 replacement," Devajit Saikia, the BCCI secretary, told news agency ANI on Saturday.

Though Saikia didn't specify what the reason for the BCCI's decision was, Indian news outlets over the past few days have reported Indian spiritual and political leaders as criticising KKR and their owner Shah Rukh Khan for including Mustafizur in their line-up at a time when, reportedly, Hindu minorities are being attacked in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, just a day before Saikia's statement on Mustafizur, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced their home season, starting March 2026, and that includes a white-ball tour of three ODIs and three T20Is by India, a series that was originally planned for 2025 but was rescheduled.

Also Read: Mustafizur becomes most expensive Bangladeshi at IPL

Mustafizur, who has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Mumbai Indians (MI), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Delhi Capitals (DC) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the past, has picked up 65 wickets in 60 matches overall in an IPL career that started in 2016.

He was acquired by KKR at the IPL auction late last year for INR 9.2 crore as the team refreshed their line-up, also adding Akash Deep, Sri Lanka's Matheesha Pathirana and Australia allrounder Cameron Green, among others.

Mustafizur, the only Bangladesh cricketer to find an IPL team ahead of the 2026 season, is currently playing in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) for Rangpur Riders.

The BCB is expected to make a statement on the matter soon. ESPNcricinfo has also reached out to KKR for their reaction.

Source: ESPNcricinfo