JioStar has ended its deal to broadcast the IPL in Bangladesh, effectively ruling out televising the 2026 season in the country despite recent signs of a softer government stance. The development has dealt a significant blow to cricket fans in Bangladesh, where the league enjoys a huge following.
The decision comes shortly after Bangladesh authorities have signaled a reconsideration of an earlier ban on IPL broadcasts, imposed amid rising diplomatic and cricketing tensions with India. However, JioStar’s withdrawal now leaves no way for the tournament to return to local screens this season.
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“The agreement is terminated with immediate effect,” JioStar said in a February 17 letter to Bangladesh broadcaster TSports, which has sub-licensed the rights for the IPL seasons from 2023 to 2027.
The company further cited its partner’s “continued failure and non-compliance with contractual payment deadlines” as the key reason for the move.
The decision also applies to the Women’s Premier League, with JioStar apparently pulling out of broadcasting arrangements for both competitions in Bangladesh due to similar concerns.
WHY WAS THE BANGLADESH IPL DEAL CANCELED?
Despite recent tensions between India and Bangladesh, particularly over cricket relations, the collapse of the IPL broadcast deal appears to stem mainly from commercial issues, not political ones.
At the heart of the matter is a dispute between JioStar and its Bangladeshi partner TSports, with the Indian broadcaster citing repeated non-payments as the key reason for terminating the contract.
According to the termination letter, the deal was canceled due to “continued failure and non-compliance with the payment deadlines set out in the contract”, suggesting that financial disagreements played a decisive role in the collapse.
This also means that while Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting recently signaled a willingness to review the earlier IPL broadcast ban, there is currently no official partner to broadcast the tournament.
Timing adds another layer to the situation. Bangladesh only hinted at a possible shift in policy, with officials saying any further decision would depend on consultation with the sports ministry. However, JioStar’s exit effectively makes this revaluation irrelevant for the ongoing season.
The IPL, worth $18.5 billion and widely regarded as the richest cricket league in the world, enjoys immense popularity in Bangladesh. As a result, the absence of local television is expected to significantly impact viewership and fan engagement in the country.
WHAT IS THE DISPUTE BETWEEN INDIA AND BANGLADESH?
The wider backdrop to this situation lies in strained cricketing and diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh over the past year.
Initial broadcast ban earlier in 2026 was launched the controversy surrounding Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahmanwho was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 9.20 crore. The franchise eventually released him on the instructions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The decision came at a sensitive time, coinciding with political tensions following incidents against minority communities in Bangladesh. The move was widely seen in Bangladesh as more than just a cricket call, adding a political layer to the dispute.
Relations between the two cricket boards further deteriorated, culminating in Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the 2026 T20 World Cup. The decision drew criticism across cricketing circles, with many arguing that it damaged Bangladeshi cricket competitively.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
March 30, 2026 14:37 IST
