KKR
Bangladeshi pacer out! Why KKR released Mustafizur Rahman before IPL 2026?
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday confirmed that it has released Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from its squad ahead of the IPL 2026 season, following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
In a statement, KKR said: “Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL, as the regulator of the IPL, has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming IPL season.”
The franchise added that the release was carried out after due process and consultations.
“The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, and further details will be communicated in due course,” the statement said.
The decision comes amid a political and social controversy surrounding Rahman’s inclusion in the KKR squad.
Former BJP MLA Sangeet Som had earlier labelled Bollywood actor and KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan a “traitor” at a public rally, alleging that signing a Bangladeshi player amounted to betraying the country.
Som also claimed that Bangladeshi cricketers would face opposition if they toured India.
The issue escalated after spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur appealed to KKR’s management to reconsider Rahman’s inclusion in the team.The backlash further intensified following remarks by Meera Rathore, district president of the All India Hindu Mahasabha in Agra, who staged a protest by defacing a poster of Shah Rukh Khan.
Her comments during the protest drew widespread criticism.KKR had purchased Mustafizur Rahman for ₹9.2 crore at the IPL mini auction in December 2025.
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