The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a strict step ahead of the IPL 2026 season. Following massive criticism over communal violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, the BCCI has instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad.
The decision was confirmed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia in a media interaction. He stated that KKR will not be allowed to include Mustafizur in their campaign for the 2026 season. Saikia also added that the defending champions will get a special one-time benefit.
KKR will be allowed to sign a replacement player in place of the Bangladeshi pacer.
“Due to the recent developments that are 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,” Devajit Saikia was quoted as saying by India Today.
Mustafizur was the only Bangladesh international to be sold in the IPL mini-auction. KKR had secured the left-arm pacer for a huge amount of INR 9.20 crore.
With his release, that amount will now be available to the franchise.
KKR face replacement challenge ahead of IPL 2026
The Kolkata-based franchise now faces the tough task of finding a like-for-like replacement. Mustafizur is an experienced death-over specialist with years of IPL exposure. Replacing his skill set will not be easy before the season begins.
KKR’s current squad still lists Mustafizur Rahman among other stars like Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Cameron Green, and Matheesha Pathirana. However, the pacer will not be part of their final squad for IPL 2026.
Meanwhile, Saikia also spoke about India’s upcoming international assignment. He confirmed that the Indian ODI squad will be announced on Saturday afternoon.
“As you know, from the 11th of January, India is going to play New Zealand in a three-match ODI series and today we have a meeting with the selectors and in the afternoon we are going to announce the squad for the New Zealand series,” Saikia explained further.
Shubman Gill is expected to lead India in the series.
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