IPL 2026: Before IPL 2026, BCCI had ordered KKR to drop Mustafizur Rahman from the team. The Board has taken this strict step in view of the current diplomatic tension and public anger between India and Bangladesh. Now KKR has also followed this instruction of BCCI and dropped Rahman.

KKR official statement

KKR confirmed this news by sharing a post on social media. KKR said in its statement, “BCCI/IPL, as regulators, has directed KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman. This process has been completed after due consultation and following the instructions of BCCI. BCCI has given permission to KKR to select a replacement in place of Mustafizur.”

Why was this decision taken?

The controversy started after Mustafizur was bought for ₹9.20 crore in the December 2025 auction. There was a demand for boycott of Bangladeshi players in India in protest against the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. Many organizations and leaders had raised questions on the participation of Bangladeshi players in IPL. BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia made it clear that the board does not want to take any risk in view of the current environment and respects public sentiments.