New Delhi (IANS) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia said that the board has formally asked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh pace spearhead Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of the IPL 2026 season, ending weeks of controversy surrounding the high-profile signing.
Amid reports of violent acts against members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh in December, critics expressed their disapproval of Rahman’s participation in the IPL. This issue became a political and social concern beyond cricket.
“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 told IANS.
Rahman became the topic of much discussion after KKR chose to pick him for a record Rs 9.20 crore at the December mini-auction, making him the most expensive Bangladeshi cricketer ever selected for the IPL. Rahman was signed from a base of Rs 2 crore in an intense bidding contest between the Chennai Super Kings and the Delhi Capitals.
However, KKR has not yet issued a public statement on the BCCI’s decision, although it is expected to comply by the time the season opens.
Previously, spiritual teacher Devkinandan Thakur had publicly denounced KKR and its co-owner, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, for signing Rahman. Thakur indicated that followers of the Sanatan Dharma, particularly Hindus, were offended by KKR’s decision, given the current situation concerning atrocities committed against the Hindu population in the neighbouring country.
Rahman’s IPL credentials are impressive. 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. Rahman has played for the following franchises: Mumbai Indians (2018), Rajasthan Royals (2021), Delhi Capitals (2022-23), and Chennai Super Kings (2024). After CSK failed to reach the playoffs, Rahman was released and then returned to DC last season to fill in for Australian player Jake Fraser-McGurk, who was ruled out due to injury.
The issue has triggered sharp reactions across the political spectrum, with leaders from the BJP, Congress, NCP, CPI(M), Samajwadi Party, and Shiv Sena (UBT) weighing in, raising questions about sports, religion, national interest, and alleged atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh.
Thakur claimed that the inclusion of a Bangladeshi player by KKR had hurt the sentiments of Hindus across the country, especially in view of the alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. He alleged that violence against Hindus in the neighbouring country was continuing unabated and described recent incidents of brutal attacks.
He maintained that religious leaders generally do not interfere in sports or entertainment, but said the present circumstances warranted objection. Questioning Shah Rukh Khan’s decision, he said that allowing a player from Bangladesh to play in the IPL for a significant sum amounted to hurting the sentiments of “100 crore Hindus.” He demanded that Bangladeshi cricketers be excluded from the IPL under the current situation and warned of protests if the demand was not met.
Reiterating his stance, Thakur said his concern was not about Shah Rukh Khan’s profession or status but about what he described as the protection of Hindu interests globally.
The controversy soon took a political turn, with the Congress questioning the ‘selective’ targeting of Shah Rukh Khan and shifting the focus to the government and cricket authorities. Congress national spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the government must be questioned on why Bangladeshi players were allowed to participate in the IPL if concerns over atrocities were genuine. She asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior ministers were silent on the issue and questioned the role of the BCCI and its Secretary, Jay Shah.
Congress leader Rakesh Sinha alleged that Shah Rukh Khan’s identity was being deliberately targeted and accused BJP leaders and religious figures of selective outrage. He pointed out that cricket matches between India and Pakistan were played even after terror incidents and questioned why similar objections were not raised at that time.
Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat dismissed the controversy as unwarranted, while NCP (SP) Rajya Sabha MP Fauzia Khan criticised what she described as communal politics. She questioned why playing cricket with Pakistan was acceptable while signing a Bangladeshi player had become controversial, calling the debate “backward and uncivilised.”
CPI(M) leader Hannan Mollah condemned the mixing of religion and politics with sports, saying such practices were unhealthy and should be avoided. Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma urged religious leaders to ‘stay away’ from politics. He further told them to ‘focus on social welfare’.
Amid the growing row, BJP leaders offered mixed reactions. BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo said sports should not be linked with politics but acknowledged that emotions naturally rise when issues of national interest are involved. He said the Centre had taken diplomatic steps by summoning the Bangladesh High Commissioner and raising concerns over minority safety.
BJP MP Yogender Chandolia, however, supported Devkinandan Thakur’s sentiments, saying that deliberately signing a Bangladeshi player amid reports of atrocities appeared provocative and that the contract should be terminated.
The issue also sparked reactions in Jammu and Kashmir, where Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Manish Sahni warned of protests if Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman played for KKR. He claimed violence against Hindus in Bangladesh was increasing and demanded a complete boycott of Bangladeshi players in the IPL and upcoming international tournaments.
BJP leader Raj K. Purohit demanded action against Shah Rukh Khan. He sought a boycott of his films. His statement further fuelled the controversy, drawing angry reactions from opposition leaders.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said Shah Rukh Khan must decide whether he stands with India or “anti-national forces,” asserting that the actor should clarify his position amid the ongoing debate.
Congress MP Manoj Kumar called for keeping sports separate from religion and community identity. While condemning violence in Bangladesh, he said cricket should remain a sport, and players should not be targeted based on nationality.
