The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from their Indian Premier League (IPL) squad. The directive was confirmed on January 3, 2026, in Guwahati by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, who cited political pressure and controversy surrounding Mustafizur’s participation in the tournament.

According to Saikia, the BCCI initially adopted a ‘wait and watch’ approach but ultimately decided to remove the player due to escalating political tensions between India and Bangladesh. He added that KKR would be allowed to select a replacement player with BCCI’s approval. The issue gained attention after some Indian political figures and self-proclaimed spiritual leaders criticized KKR’s decision to sign Mustafizur, with one BJP leader labeling team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan a ‘traitor’.

The decision marks a rare instance of political disputes directly influencing IPL team composition, raising questions about the tournament’s insulation from external pressures.