Guwahati: Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been released from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the upcoming Indian Premier League season following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), amid strained relations between India and Bangladesh.
The decision was confirmed on Saturday by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who said the board had asked the franchise to let go of the left-arm pacer due to “recent developments”.
He added that KKR would be permitted to seek a replacement player if required for the tournament, which is scheduled to begin on March 26.
Soon after, KKR issued a statement acknowledging the move, saying the release was carried out after due consultations and strictly in accordance with instructions from the BCCI, which regulates the IPL.
Mustafizur, 30, was picked up by KKR for Rs. 9.20 crore at last month’s auction, well above his base price of Rs. 2 crore, following a competitive bidding process involving Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals.
The upcoming season was set to be his first with the three-time IPL champions.
The release comes amid mounting political and public scrutiny over the participation of a Bangladeshi player in the IPL against the backdrop of growing diplomatic unease between the two countries.
Reports of violence against minorities in Bangladesh and India’s stated concerns over their safety have added to the sensitivity.
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Criticism has also been directed at KKR’s co-owner, actor Shah Rukh Khan, with some leaders from the ruling BJP questioning the franchise’s decision to include the bowler under the prevailing circumstances.
Mustafizur has featured in eight IPL seasons since making his debut in 2016, representing Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
He missed only the 2019 and 2020 editions of the tournament.
Neither the player nor the Bangladesh Cricket Board has issued a response to the development so far.
The episode unfolds against a broader backdrop of political flux in Bangladesh, where recent unrest and a change in government have altered the country’s diplomatic posture.
Ties between New Delhi and Dhaka have witnessed strain in recent months, marked by exchanges involving diplomatic envoys and concerns over internal security conditions.
