Mustafizur Rahman IPL Controversy Explained: Why KKR Released Him

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Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman became the center of a major controversy after the IPL 2026 mini-auction. What started as a normal auction decision soon turned into a political and social debate. The issue finally ended with the BCCI directing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman.

What Happened at the IPL 2026 Mini-Auction?

The IPL 2026 mini-auction was held on December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi. Mustafizur Rahman entered the auction with a base price of ₹2 crore. After a bidding war, KKR bought him for ₹9.20 crore.

Soon after the auction, criticism started on social media, with many questioning KKR’s decision.

Why Did the Mustafizur Rahman Controversy Start?

Mustafizur Rahman has played in the IPL before, so his selection itself was not unusual. However, the timing made it controversial.

In recent months, reports of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh created strong reactions in India. Because of these events, political tension between India and Bangladesh increased. As a result, some leaders and groups opposed the inclusion of Bangladeshi players in the IPL.

Mustafizur Rahman’s selection by KKR became a symbol of this wider anger and debate.

Incident That Increased Anger

The situation became more serious after reports of a mob killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh surfaced in mid-December. Videos linked to the incident spread quickly on social media, increasing protests against KKR and Mustafizur Rahman’s participation in IPL 2026.

Political Leaders React Strongly

• Several political and religious leaders strongly criticized KKR and team owner Shah Rukh Khan.
• Devkinandan Thakur said Mustafizur Rahman should be removed and the auction money should be given to affected Hindu families.
• BJP leader Sangeet Som called the decision anti-national and attacked Shah Rukh Khan.
• Swami Rambhadracharya also criticised the inclusion of Mustafizur Rahman in the IPL.

These statements pushed the issue beyond cricket.

• Leaders Who Supported Shah Rukh Khan
• Not all reactions were negative. Several leaders supported Shah Rukh Khan and opposed mixing politics with sports.
• Congress leader Bhai Jagtap said Shah Rukh Khan was being targeted unfairly.
• TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh criticised the politicisation of IPL.
• SP leader Abu Azmi said players should not be judged by nationality.
• Shah Rukh Khan did not issue any public statement during the controversy.

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BCCI Steps In

As the controversy continued to grow, the BCCI decided to intervene.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia announced that, considering the current situation, KKR was instructed to release Mustafizur Rahman. The board also allowed KKR to sign a replacement player if required.

Reaction After the Decision

After BCCI’s directive, Sangeet Som called it a victory for “Sanatan values” and repeated his criticism of Shah Rukh Khan, which again triggered debate on social media.

What Happens Next?

Several questions remain:

• Will other Bangladeshi players face similar opposition in future IPL seasons?
• Is this decision limited only to Mustafizur Rahman?
• Will this controversy now come to an end?

For now, it is confirmed that Mustafizur Rahman will not be part of IPL 2026.

Conclusion

The Mustafizur Rahman controversy shows how sports decisions can be affected by political and social issues. While the IPL is a cricket league, outside events and public pressure can strongly influence outcomes.

The future will reveal whether this incident remains a one-time case or changes the approach toward foreign players in the IPL.

Also Read: Why Mustafizur Rahman Was Released from KKR Ahead of IPL 2026