BCCI asks Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman amid attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh: 'Due to the recent developments...'

The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) has asked Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman amid growing attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia confirmed that KKR would be allowed to sign a replacement player and that they have been asked to release Mustafizur Rahman due to attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

KKR were the only team to sign a Bangladesh cricketer in the IPL 2026 auction. They paid Rs 9.2 crore to sign fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. However, with an increase in attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, the franchise and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan had been facing a lot of criticism from all corners. Some politicians also issued a threat of violence if Rahman played in IPL 2026.

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BCCI asks KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman

“Due to the recent developments which is going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh from their squad and BCCI has also said that if they ask for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that replacement,” Saikia told ANI.

Saikia, however, did not say anything about India's tour of Bangladesh, which is scheduled for September 2026. The dates for that tour were confirmed on Friday.

Recently, Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu resident in Bangladesh, was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh district over alleged blasphemy charges. Another Hindu man was also killed by a mob at Hosendanga village of Kalimohor Union in Rajbari’s Pangsha sub-district after an extortion allegation.

Renowned Hindu spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadrachary has been one of the prominent voices condemning the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. He also called KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan an "anti-national" for signing Mustafizur Rahman.

“…It is unfortunate (Shah Rukh Khan took Bangladeshi cricketer in KKR for IPL 2026), but he will do so because he is considered a hero. Shah Rukh Khan’s stance has consistently been at odds with the nation. He has no character. His character has always been questionable and anti-national,” Jagadguru Rambhadracharya said.