IPL 2026: Will KKR be allowed to sign a new player after releasing Mustafizur Rahman?

KKR have already cut ties with Mustafizur Rahman after the BCCI’s order.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) a direct order. They told the franchise to drop Bangladesh’s pacer Mustafizur Rahman before the IPL 2026 season begins.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the move on Saturday. He pointed to recent developments as the main reason, specifically referring to geopolitical tension and violence against minorities in Bangladesh.

The heat has been building over the last week. Different groups even called out KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan for signing a Bangladeshi player while things are so unstable. So, the board decided Mustafizur’s presence might lead to security issues or upset fans.

They chose to step in early to avoid trouble. KKR’s management didn’t wait; they immediately issued a media notice stating that they would comply with the rules. The team explained that they did exactly what the board asked, cutting ties with the left-arm pacer before he had even played a game.

This move knocks the bowler out of the squad for good and leaves the team scrambling to rethink their strategy for the year.

Can KKR sign a replacement? The rules explained:

KKR are well within their rights to bring in a new player. The BCCI have already said they will approve a substitute.

Since this wasn’t a normal injury or a tactical cut, but rather an outside order, it’s being treated as an “act of God” or emergency. The board told the team they can use the full INR 9.20 crore originally meant for Mustafizur, putting that money right back into their auction pot.

It means management can look for top-tier overseas talent from the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP) without worrying about the bill. Usually, teams have to find a replacement for the same price or less, but since the board credited the whole amount back, KKR aren’t losing any money.

Now, they have the room to go after unsold fast bowlers who can bowl at the death. The team will likely scour the list of available foreign bowlers to compensate for the shortcomings in their bowling attack and to strengthen their squad, despite this sudden change.

High-Stakes auction drama

Mustafizur Rahman was one of the most wanted players during the IPL 2026 mini-auction in late December. He set off a massive bidding war after entering with a base price of INR 2 crore. The veteran left-arm option quickly caught the eye of several teams.

Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings went back and forth with big bids, making the price jump in seconds. KKR eventually won the battle with a winning bid of INR 9.20 crore.

This price made him the most expensive Bangladeshi player in IPL history, demonstrating how much value teams place on his clever cutters and experienced approach. KKR saw him as a key part of their bowling plans for the Eden Gardens pitch, but this new ruling from the board completely scraps that high-priced plan.

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