The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked the Kolkata Knight Riders team to let go of the services of the fast bowler in their team, Mustafizur Rahman, for the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This was according to BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia on Saturday. Saikia stated that the decision was reached owing to the “recent developments all across.”
KKR had purchased the 30-year-old left-arm pacer for ₹9.20 crore in the mini-auction held on December 16. The team won a stiff fight-out competition between CSK and Delhi Capitals to acquire the Bangladesh cricketer.
As per the BCCI, KKR will be allowed to pick a replacement player, in case they choose to do so for the next season.
Mustafizur Rahman’s selection in the KKR team had earlier sparked controversy, especially in Maharashtra, as some political as well as religious personalities had raised an objection against it. The political parties had also condemned actor Shah Rukh Khan, an owner of KKR, over picking a Bangladeshi bowler.
This issue received increased attention when there were reports of the recent murder of a Hindu citizen in Bangladesh and because of Indian concerns about the security of minorities in the neighbouring country. As a result, pressure is increasing on BCCI regarding Rahman’s participation in IPL.
Mustafizur Rahman has featured in eight seasons of IPL cricket since 2016 and has only missed two seasons, namely 2019 and 2020. He has represented various franchises such as Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, and Rajasthan Royals. The upcoming season would mark his first season with KKR, a three-times IPL winner.
