ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been released by Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after the Indian cricket board said it had “advised” the move, underscoring growing concerns over political interference in sport.
Mustafizur, who has previously featured in the IPL for multiple teams, was bought by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan’s KKR for more than $1 million at the auction held in December.
His removal comes amid heightened political tensions and a public campaign by right-wing figures in India targeting both the player and the franchise’s owner.
Devajit Saikia, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), confirmed the board’s role in the decision.
“Considering recent developments, Kolkata were advised to release” the 30-year-old Bangladesh international, Saikia said.
Following the directive, the Khan–owned franchise announced the player’s exit.
“His release has been carried out following due process and consultations,” the KKR said, adding that “BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL replacement regulations.”
The move follows a wave of political attacks against the franchise and its owner.
Former BJP MLA Sangeet Som accused the franchise owner, a prominent Indian Muslim actor, of disloyalty, declaring, “If you earn money, it comes from this country. But you have betrayed the nation… there should not be any place for such traitors.”
Religious figure Jagadguru Rambhadracharya also joined the campaign, branding Khan “anti-national” and questioning his character, alleging his views had consistently run counter to the country.
The rhetoric escalated into explicit threats from BJP-affiliated figures.
In a video circulated on social media, Abhishek Thakur said, “We will beat Mustafizur Rahman and Shah Rukh Khan if they allow the former to play in IPL.”
While Saikia offered no further public explanation for the advisory, the inclusion of a Bangladeshi player had drawn criticism from right-wing Hindu groups following the death of a Hindu man in Bangladesh in December.
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has accused India of exaggerating the scale of the violence.
The incident has renewed criticism of India’s repeated politicization of cricket, with critics arguing that decisions affecting players and teams are increasingly shaped by nationalist pressure rather than sporting considerations. The 19th edition of the IPL is scheduled to begin on March 26.
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