KKR didn't support me: Bangladesh's Litton Das makes bold claim for IPL

Bangladesh wicket-keeper batsman Litton Das has made candid remarks about his short and disappointing stint with Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League 2023 season, claiming the franchise failed to communicate clearly and offer the support he expected during his time with the team.

Speaking on the Char Chokka Bangladesh Cricket podcast, Litton reflected on his brief IPL experience and suggested he never felt part of the set-up.

“I felt KKR didn’t need me that much,” Litton said. “The team also didn’t support me as much as I expected.

The Bangladesh international revealed that his inclusion in the playing eleven came without any prior indication so he had to prepare at the last minute.

“Usually a player is told before a game that he’s going to play the next day or something along those lines. I sat out two games and there was no such discussion with me at all,” Litton said.

“Suddenly at 11 p.m. I got a message: ‘You’re going to play.’ I tried with whatever energy I had. In cricket, sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don’t. That day just wasn’t mine.”

Litton Das’ only IPL game

Litton joined KKR after being picked at his base price of Rs 50 lakh with expectations surrounding his ability to strengthen the batting and wicket options. However, his IPL journey lasted just one match.

His solitary appearance came against Delhi Capitals where he opened the batting but managed only four runs from four deliveries. It turned out to be a memorable outing, with Litton also enduring a tough evening behind the stumps after missing two chances on a stumble that proved costly as KKR slipped to defeat.

After that match, Litton was dropped from the playing eleven and did not appear again before an early return to Bangladesh due to personal family reasons. KKR continued their inconsistent campaign, eventually finishing seventh in the standings and missing out on the playoffs.

The franchise responded to this disappointing season with sweeping structural changes, including the return of Gautam Gambhir in a mentoring role. The move changed KKR’s fortunes and his side bounced back to win a third IPL title the following season. However, Litton had already been released and was later unsold at auction.

Why are Bangladeshi players not participating in IPL?

Bangladesh’s representation in the IPL has remained limited in recent years. Ahead of the 2026 season, Mustafizur Rahman was the only Bangladeshi player picked in the auction after he was signed by KKR for Rs 9.20 crore. However, his participation became a major talking point amid political controversy, and was eventually released before the tournament began.

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Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

May 18, 2026 11:19 AM IST