Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, left, Mustafizur Rahman, middle, and BJP leader Sangeet Som
NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday released Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).KKR had picked Mustafizur Rahman for Rs 9.20 crore at the IPL auction held in December. However, his selection triggered a political backlash in India after reports emerged of recent mob violence and lynching incidents involving Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
Following the BCCI’s directive, Mustafizur Rahman will not be part of the IPL 2026 season, and the franchise has been permitted to name a replacement player in accordance with league rules.In a media advisory, KKR said, “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 (IPL) season.” The franchise added that the release was carried out after due process and consultations, and that the BCCI would allow a replacement player as per IPL regulations.Also read | Mustafizur Rahman out of IPL 2026: Will KKR get their Rs 9.20 crore back?The controversy drew reactions from political leaders, with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor coming forward in Mustafizur Rahman’s support, while the BJP strongly opposed his selection and targeted KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, calling him a “traitor.”
Congress supports cricketer, questions BCCI
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said sports should be separated from political tensions. “Cricket should not be made to bear the burden for attacks on minorities in Bangladesh,” he told reporters, adding that Mustafizur Rahman had no role in the violence.“Mustafizur Rahman is a cricketer and has nothing to do with any of these things. He has not been personally accused of any hate speech or condoning or defending any attacks. Mixing these two things is simply not fair,” Tharoor said.Also read | ‘Who are we punishing?’: Shashi Tharoor slams ‘mindless politicising of sport’ after KKR release Bangladesh player Mustafizur RahmanHe also cautioned against isolating neighbouring countries. “If we become a country that isolates all of our neighbours, and say nobody is playing with any of them, how does it do any good? It is purely a sporting decision, and we should not let politics come into this,” he added.Congress leader and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge criticised the BJP for targeting the IPL franchise, saying overseas players participate in the league as per BCCI and IPL rules.In a post on X, Kharge said, “The BJP and their ‘Vichar Parivaar’ are outraged over the inclusion of a Bangladeshi player in the IPL. If an overseas player is in IPL, it is because BCCI or the IPL rules allow him. Instead of blaming the franchise, shouldn’t the BJP leaders ask why BCCI is allowing Bangladesh players to participate in IPL, when they should be banning it.” He further cited past instances to criticise BJP leaders. “The same BJP leaders have no problem when: India played with Pakistan soon after the Pahalgam attack. IPL shifted matches to Islamic countries during COVID. IPL auctions are held in Islamic countries… For BJP, ‘nationalism’ appears only when it suits their politics,” Kharge added.Congress MP Tariq Anwar defended KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, calling it inappropriate to target the actor. He said foreign players can only be included after due permission from cricketing authorities and under international norms.Reacting to the controversy, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said the focus should be on who permitted Bangladeshi players to be included in the IPL auction in the first place.Speaking to ANI, she said, “First of all, I want to ask who put the Bangladeshi players in that pool. This question is for the BCCI and the ICC. Home Minister’s son, Jay Shah, should answer who put the Bangladeshi players in the pool where IPL players are bought and sold, the pool where the players’ auction takes place… he is the ICC’s chief and the main decision-maker in cricket all around the world.”
BJP welcomes BCCI decision
BJP leader Sangeet Som welcomed the BCCI’s decision and launched a sharp attack on Shah Rukh Khan, calling him a “traitor.” He cited repeated violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh and claimed Mustafizur Rahman would not be allowed to play in the IPL.“Despite all this, traitors like Shah Rukh Khan… invest it in players from a country that is working against India,” Som told ANI, adding that the cricketer would not be able to play in the tournament.Uttar Pradesh Minister Narendra Kashyap also praised the BCCI’s move, saying it respected national sentiment. “We welcome the decision of the BCCI that they understood the sentiments of the nation and removed the Bangladeshi player,” he said.
Madan Lal backs Shah Rukh Khan
Former India cricketer Madan Lal and World Cup winner supported Shah Rukh Khan, saying the actor had no role in team selection.“This is the decision of the BCCI and the Central government must have taken this decision, given the atrocities are being committed against Hindus in Bangladesh,” he told ANI.He added, “There is no fault of Shah Rukh Khan as they have the team who picks the team.”
Mixed reactions continue
National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, said there was no act of betrayal in Shah Rukh Khan selecting a Bangladeshi player.Meanwhile, Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi of the All India Imam Organisation said Shah Rukh Khan should apologise to the nation over the selection.Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam had urged Shah Rukh Khan to remove the Bangladeshi player, saying it would protect India’s interests and prevent the actor from becoming a target.Also read | Another Hindu dies in Bangladesh: Khokon Das succumbs to injuries after 3 days; was set ablaze by mobHindus in Bangladesh have been victims of mob violence and lynching in the aftermath of protests and the killing of student leader Osman Hadi. On December 18, 2025, Dipu Chandra Das was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy charges in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district. In another incident, a Hindu youth, Amrit Mondal, was lynched in Rajbari district, triggering protests and strong reactions in India. Go to Source
