KKR Franchise Forced to Release Mustafizur Rahman Amid Political Outroar

Since 2016, Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman has excelled in the IPL, claiming 65 wickets across 60 matches with a good bowling average of 28.45.

KKR Franchise Forced to Release Mustafizur Rahman Amid Political Outroar

Mustafizur Rahman has been released by KKR, due to tense India-Bangladesh relations. (via ESPN Cricinfo)

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Kolkata Knight Riders confirmed that they have released Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, ahead of the upcoming 2026 season. The franchise’s decision was reportedly mandated by the BCCI due to strained diplomatic relations between India and its neighbor.

KKR signed Mustafizur Rahman for a whopping INR 9.20 crores in the 2026 IPL auction, following an intense bidding war with Chennai Super Kings, underlining his enduring value for his cutters. Rahman became the most-expensive Bangladeshi cricketer in the competition’s history, as well as the fourth player from the country to represent KKR, after Shakib al-Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza and Litton Das. 

Mustafizur Rahman, in fact, became the sole Bangladeshi cricketer to be picked at this year’s IPL auction, while fellow players such as Das, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rishad Hossain, and Shoriful Islam went unsold.

The 30-year-old’s initial, high-profile signing by KKR quickly escalated into a significant national controversy. Consequently, KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan faced criticism from various political factions, with some condemning the acquisition of Rahman as ‘insensitive’.

Objection to the Bangladeshi pacer’s involvement in the IPL was triggered by reports of persecution and violence against religious minorities in the country, and the escalating geopolitical tensions between India and Bangladesh. Continued criticism and calls for a complete boycott compelled the BCCI to intervene, with secretary Devajit Saikia clarifying that KKR had been formally requested to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. 

Saikia also shared that KKR has been assured that the board would allow them to sign a replacement before the season begins. In an official statement, Kolkata Knight Riders acknowledged that they had acted in accordance with the BCCI’s directive, having released Mustafizur Rahman from their 25-member IPL squad. The statement noted that the Bangladeshi fast bowler’s release adhered to IPL regulations, with further details to be announced in the coming days.

Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL, as the regulator of IPL has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming IPL season. The release has been carried out following due process and consultations.

Furthermore, the BCCI’s directive marks the second instance in the IPL concerning the participation of players from a specific country, mirroring the situation with Pakistani players since 2009. The status of India’s rescheduled tour to Bangladesh, planned for August this year, also remains uncertain.

Possible replacements for Mustafizur Rahman at KKR following surprise release

With Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman released by KKR ahead of the 2026 IPL season, the franchise is expected to look for a replacement. Under standard IPL rules, Rahman’s exit means that the franchise is entitled to a complete restoration of the player’s auction price to their purse.

Mustafizur Rahman replacements
Richard Gleeson, Riley Meredith and Josh Tongue have emerged as Mustafizur Rahman’s replacements at KKR. (via Cricbuzz)

Thereafter, KKR will receive a credit of the INR 9.20 crores that they spent on acquiring the 30-year-old’s services into their spending pool. Englishman Richard Gleeson is one potential replacement for Rahman. The 38-year-old, who played for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025, is currently in excellent form in the SA20, having scalped eight wickets in three matches so far with a decent economy rate of 7.48.

Josh Tongue, who has taken 12 wickets in the ongoing 2025-26 Ashes and boasts excellent statistics in the shortest format, is another potential candidate. If KKR seeks a left-arm pace replacement, Jason Behrendorff and Fazalhaq Farooqi remain options. Additionally, Australian pacer Riley Meredith, who ended 2025 with 60 wickets in 36 matches at an average of 18.48, could also emerge as a choice.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for KKR after losing one of their frontline pacers for the 2026 season. Their current fast-bowling options include Matheesha Pathirana, and a group of Indian bowlers, Harshit Rana, Akash Deep, Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik, and Kartik Tyagi.

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