A commentary published on January 9, 2026, in the Bangladeshi outlet ‘Amar Desh’ criticizes India’s decision to remove Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The article argues that India’s move was unjust, politically motivated, and influenced by extremist pressure rather than cricketing reasons. It claims that both Bangladeshi authorities and some Indian politicians and players have condemned the decision as unfair.

The piece describes how Mustafizur was initially a highly sought-after player in the IPL auction, eventually signed by Kolkata Knight Riders. However, he was later dropped without credible explanation. The author alleges that religious and national identity, not performance, drove the exclusion, and that India’s cricket board bowed to extremist nationalist demands. The commentary also criticizes the targeting of team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan for his Muslim identity while ignoring other owners.

According to the article, India’s handling of the issue exposes double standards in its cricket administration and damages its global image. It concludes that the episode reveals India’s surrender of cricketing integrity to political and religious extremism.