BCCI made decision on Mustafizur Rahman’s release without consultation: Report

The unexpected release of Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad ahead of the IPL 2026 season has triggered diplomatic and cricketing unease between India and Bangladesh. According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed the IPL franchise to drop the pacer without holding wider consultations within the board or the IPL Governing Council.

Sources revealed that the call to remove Mustafizur was taken at the highest level of the BCCI, with several key officials and governing council members not present when the decision was finalised. The move has reportedly caught many within the Indian cricket administration by surprise.

Mustafizur, who was bought by KKR for Rs 9.20 crore in the IPL auction last month, was released amid rising political and social tensions. A BCCI official said that stakeholders were not taken into confidence. “We only learnt about the decision from media reports. There was no consultation or feedback sought from us,” the official stated.

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BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia later confirmed the development, citing recent circumstances as the reason behind the directive. “In view of the current situation, the BCCI has instructed KKR to release Bangladesh player Mustafizur Rahman,” he said.

The decision has drawn a sharp reaction from Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the country’s government have expressed strong displeasure, with Dhaka even pushing for Bangladesh’s matches in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 to be shifted out of India to Sri Lanka.

Adding to the fallout, Bangladesh has also stopped the telecast and promotion of the IPL within the country. “The broadcast and promotion of the IPL have been halted in Bangladesh,” the Ministry concerned said in an official statement.