The Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday officially confirmed that Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has been released from their squad ahead of the IPL 2026, following direct instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). 

The development comes hours after BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI that KKR had been asked to let go of the left-arm seamer due to “recent developments” in Bangladesh, where reports of violence against Hindus have triggered strong reactions in India.

In an official statement issued nearly two hours after the BCCI’s directive, KKR said it had complied with the order and would be allowed to sign a replacement player as per IPL rules.

“Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL, as the regulator of IPL, has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season,” the franchise said.

“The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of 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.”

Rahman was picked up by KKR for ₹9.20 crore at the IPL mini-auction after a fierce bidding war involving Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, with CEO Venky Mysore and head coach Abhishek Nayar eventually sealing the deal.

Why is Mustafizur’s signing controversial?

KKR and its co-owner Shah Rukh Khan have faced sustained political and social media backlash over the signing of a Bangladeshi player amid strained India–Bangladesh relations. Tensions escalated after the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man, in Mymensingh last month.

BJP leader Sangeet Som had earlier branded Shah Rukh Khan a “gaddar (traitor)” for backing the signing, while demands grew for the BCCI to intervene.

Under IPL rules, franchises cannot unilaterally release a player after the auction; such a move can only happen if the governing council or the player is involved. That made BCCI’s intervention decisive in this case.

Rahman, currently playing in the Bangladesh Premier League, has featured in 60 IPL matches for Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Mumbai Indians.