The controversy surrounding Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has finally come to an end. In a significant move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release him before the IPL 2026 season. KKR promptly released Rahman following this directive.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that formal instructions have been sent to the franchise. The decision was made in light of recent developments. He mentioned that KKR could request a replacement player, which the BCCI would approve.
This decision wasn't made lightly. Last month during the Dubai mini-auction, KKR acquired Mustafizur Rahman for 9.20 crores. It's noteworthy that no Bangladeshi players were bid on during the IPL 2025 auction.
BCCI Compelled to Act
As soon as KKR spent millions on Mustafizur during the recent IPL auction, social media erupted with reactions. People targeted BCCI, questioning if Pakistani players aren’t being included in the IPL, why were players from Bangladesh, considering the current situation there, allowed?
Many questioned the inclusion of players from a country where minority Hindus are being targeted, provocative slogans against India are being encouraged by the interim government, and inflammatory statements are being made.
Recent events such as the murders of Dipu Das, Amrit Mandal, Bajendra Biswas, and Khokhan Das turned the issue into a political debate. Not just Mustafizur, even KKR's owner Shah Rukh Khan came under fire, with the controversy spilling from social media to political statements and even threats being made.
Over the past few days, from leaders to religious figures and players, everyone has weighed in on the Mustafizur Rahman issue. The controversy didn't just focus on him but also targeted KKR's owner Shah Rukh Khan, with threats that Mustafizur would not be allowed out of the airport if he came to India to play IPL. Despite BCCI stating that no stern decision would be made without government instructions, the rising tensions prompted an immediate directive for KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman, which KKR adhered to.
Shah Rukh Khan Targeted
Interestingly, the protest wasn't just against Mustafizur but even more so against KKR's owner, Shah Rukh Khan. Statements from leaders to a campaign on social media targeting Shah Rukh Khan unfolded. While it was with BCCI's approval that Mustafizur was included in the auction, he was the only Bangladeshi player sold in the IPL 2026 auction.
Former cricketer Madan Lal questioned the dragging of Shah Rukh's name into the matter, stating, "Why is Shah Rukh being blamed? There’s a committee that decides such things. They select the players during the auction and handle everything.”
Base Price of 2 Crores, Bidding Soared to Over 9 Crores
Left-arm medium-fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman is known for his slow deliveries and cutters. KKR wasn’t the only team eyeing him, as shown by his base price of 2 crores escalating beyond 9 crores, with Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings also showing keen interest.
As the bid reached five crores, Delhi pulled out, leaving it to a race between Chennai and KKR, culminating in Kolkata securing him with a 9.20 crore bid.
Mustafizur played for Sunrisers Hyderabad for the first time in 2016, performing spectacularly with 17 wickets in 16 matches. Since then, he has played for Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai Indians, and Rajasthan Royals. In total, Mustafizur has grabbed 65 wickets in 60 IPL matches, while in international T20, he has taken 158 wickets at an average of 7.28 in 126 matches.
