Kolkata Knight Riders have removed Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad. This decision followed direct instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, known as BCCI.
The move links to recent troubles in Bangladesh, where news reports mention attacks on Hindu minorities. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told news agency ANI on Saturday that the board asked KKR to let Mustafizur go because of these problems in the area. He also said KKR can easily pick another player to replace him with full BCCI support.
Soon after Saikia spoke, KKR shared an official note. It said they completed the release after proper talks and all required steps, just as BCCI directed. The news caught many eyes because Indian TV channels lately showed clips of local religious and political leaders criticizing KKR and its well-known owner Shah Rukh Khan.
These leaders questioned picking Mustafizur right when reports came out about Hindu issues in Bangladesh, leaving the team in a tricky position.
Mustafizur knows the IPL well. He first joined in 2016 and has played for top teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings. In more than 60 games, this left-arm fast bowler took 65 wickets, proving his talent on Indian fields.
At last year's IPL auction, KKR bought him for 9.2 crore rupees while building a fresh team with players like India's Akash Deep, Sri Lanka's Matheesha Pathirana, and Australia's Cameron Green. He was the only Bangladesh player chosen for the 2026 season.
Today, Mustafizur plays for Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League to stay in shape. All this happens as Bangladesh's cricket board sets a home series for March 2026 against India, with three one-day internationals and three T20 matches.
That tour moved from its planned 2025 date. Plus, Bangladesh will travel to India soon for the T20 World Cup in February and March, keeping cricket links between the countries solid even with off-field worries.
So far, Bangladesh's cricket board has stayed quiet on KKR's action or BCCI's order. Fans and cricket watchers now wait to see KKR's choice for a new player in Mustafizur's spot and what it means for IPL 2026. The league often reflects larger national and regional events, and this case highlights once again how cricket in India connects to those bigger issues.