IPL 2026: BCCI orders KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman from squad amid tensions with Bangladesh

Mustafizur Rahman was the only Bangladesh player that was picked in the IPL 2026 after Kolkata Knight Riders shelled out INR 9.2 crores for him.

There is massive bad news for Bangladeshi cricket fans ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia has requested that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) release Mustafizur Rahman immediately, amid the ongoing political tensions between India and Bangladesh.

Former champions KKR purchased Rahman for INR 9.2 crores, and he was the only Bangladesh pacer to be picked in the auction. After the latest political stand-off, there have been calls for the axing of Bangladeshi players from the league.

Many political leaders, as well as fans, lashed out at the KKR for picking the fast bowler, who last played for the Delhi Capitals in the 2025 campaign, as a replacement player.

Amid all the criticism, BCCI has taken a strict stance. Secretary Saikia, in his chat with ANI, said:

“Due to the recent developments that are going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad and BCCI has also said that if they ask for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that replacement.”

Knight Riders have issued an official press release confirming that they are releasing Mustafizur with immediate effect, following instructions from the BCCI.

Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL career so far

30-year-old Bangladesh pacer Rahman made his IPL debut in 2016 for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). In his debut season, the pacer picked 17 wickets and helped them win the league. Rahman played just one game next season before being released by SRH and was picked by the Mumbai Indians, where he picked 7 wickets from seven games.

The left-arm seamer didn’t play the next two seasons. In 2021, he was part of the Rajasthan Royals where he picked 14 wickets. The next two seasons, Rahman played for Delhi, picking a total of 9 wickets from ten matches.

In 2024, the Bangladeshi seamer was picked by Chennai Super Kings, and the seamer picked 14 wickets from just nine games. Last season, Rahman played three games for the Capitals and picked four wickets with an economy rate of under eight runs per over.

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