The Board of Control for Cricket in India has ordered Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season. The development was confirmed exclusively to India Today by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, clearing days of speculation over the pacer’s future in the league.
Mustafizur was signed by KKR during the IPL 2026 mini-auction in December 2025 for Rs 9.20 crore, a move that immediately attracted attention. However, the signing soon became the subject of controversy, with opposition from parts of the political spectrum and various religious groups emerging. Opposition intensified in the days following the auction, especially with the IPL matches scheduled to be played in Kolkata.
Speaking exclusively to India Today, Saikia explained the board’s decision and confirmed that the franchise has been formally instructed to part ways with the Bangladesh international.
“Due to recent developments happening across the board, the BCCI has instructed the KKR franchise to drop one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their team,” Saikia said.
“BCCI has also said that if they ask for any compensation, BCCI will allow that compensation,” he added.
Controversy surrounding Mustafizur’s inclusion gained momentum after BJP leader Kaustav Bagchi publicly objected to the participation of Bangladeshi players in IPL matches held in Kolkata. His remarks were followed by criticism from many quarters, with some voices even targeting KKR co-owner and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan for supporting the signing in the auction.
While the BCCI did not directly address the political backlash, Saikia’s statement made it clear that the board took stock of the wider situation before taking action. The instruction to release Mustafizur is understood as a precautionary measure to avoid further complications as preparations for IPL 2026 gather momentum.
From a cricketing perspective, this decision leaves KKR with a gap in their overseas fast-bowling resources. Mustafizur, known for his variations and effectiveness in limited-overs cricket, was expected to play a key role, especially on the slower surfaces. However, the BCCI has assured the franchise that it will be allowed to sign a replacement player if it so chooses.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
January 3, 2026
