The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Saturday directed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from its squad for the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League, ANI reported.
The decision came amid diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka after the killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh in December. India has also repeatedly condemned hostilities against religious minorities in the country.
On Saturday, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told the news agency that instructions had been given to Kolkata Knight Riders to release Rahman from its squad “due to the recent developments that are going on all across”.
The board will allow the team to pick a replacement for Rahman if needed, Saikia added.
Kolkata Knight Riders, a franchise co-owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan, had hired Rahman at the players’ auction on December 16. The 30-year-old was one among seven Bangladeshi players in the auction pool but the only one to find bidders.
The franchise had hired Rahman for a contract worth Rs 9.2 crore after a bidding war with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals at the auction.
The team confirmed on Saturday that it had released the player following the board’s instruction.
Rahman’s inclusion in the franchise had triggered a controversy, with political parties and spiritual leaders criticising Khan for hiring the player.
Spiritual leader Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya described the actor as a “traitor” for hiring the Bangladeshi player. Another Hindu spiritual leader, Devkinandan Thakur, had also criticised the actor for hiring Rahman in light of the situation in Bangladesh, The Hindu reported.
The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) described Bangladeshis as “enemies” and said that Khan did not understand the sentiments of the nation if he retained Rahman in the squad.
“They are terrorising the country, and Shah Rukh Khan should use this time to show gratitude towards the country,” The Hindu quoted the party as saying. “Boycott these players, choose Indian players.”
Rahman has played in eight Indian Premier League seasons since 2016. He has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. The upcoming edition was going to be his first for Kolkata Knight Riders.
You’ve read Scroll.
Now help sustain it
Scroll is funded by readers, not corporate owners. If you believe our work matters, support our newsroom. Become a member today!
We’re not driven by clicks or corporate interests – just honest, independent reporting. Keep us going. Support Scroll today!