Mustafizur’s KKR release draws criticism from Indian Congress leader, World Cup winner

The decision to drop Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) has drawn sharp criticism from former Indian state minister for external affairs and current Congress MP Shashi Tharoor

Tharoor questioned the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) reasoning, while India’s 1983 World Cup-winning cricketer Madan Lal has also raised concerns about the move, The Times of India reported on Saturday.

At the 2026 IPL auction, Mustafizur had been signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for 92 million rupees, the highest fee ever for a Bangladeshi player in the tournament.

Over the recent days, the Indian media reported controversies surrounding Mustafizur’s participation.

On Dec 18, in Baluka, Mymensingh, garment worker Dipu Chandra Das was brutally beaten and set on fire over allegations of religious blasphemy. A total of 12 people were arrested in connection with his death.

Hundreds protested near Bangladesh's High Commission in New Delhi following the incident.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told reporters on Saturday that the board had instructed KKR to drop Mustafizur, citing “recent developments” as the reason. The franchise subsequently announced the exclusion of the left-arm pacer from their squad.

Tharoor criticised the decision in a video shared on social media on Saturday, asking rhetorically whether the same fate would have befallen Bangladeshi players Litton Das or Soumya Sarkar.

“Who are we punishing here: a nation, an individual, his religion? Where will this mindless politicising of sport lead us?” he was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

He emphasised that attacks on minorities should not affect cricket.

“But Mustafizur Rahman is a cricketer and has nothing to do with any of these things. He has not been personally accused of hate speech or attacks, or of condoning or defending such acts. He is a sportsman, and mixing these two things is simply not fair,” he said.

Tharoor called for Bangladesh to be supported in protecting minorities and urged that communication and proper safeguards continue. He warned that conflating unrelated issues with a player’s eligibility is inappropriate and unfair.

Madan Lal echoed the concerns in an interview with India Today, stressing that politics has no place in sport.

"This is the decision of the BCCI and the central government must have taken this decision, given that atrocities are being committed against Hindus in Bangladesh," Madan Lal was quoted by The Times of India.

The former World Cup winner said Shah Rukh Khan, the majority owner of the franchise, should not be linked to the matter.

"There is no fault of Shah Rukh Khan as they have the team who picks the team," he added.

Lal described the decision as a response to external pressure, not the player’s conduct.

The controversy escalated further when BJP leader Sangeet Som labelled Shah Rukh a “traitor” over the signing of Mustafizur.

Lal countered, pointing out that player selection occurs at the auction under the committee’s guidance, not the owner’s discretion.

He said pressure from higher-ups influenced this decision but Shah Rukh was not at fault. “The committee selects players based on auction bids.”