The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) must be in disarray after being instructed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to omit a Bangladesh cricket pacer from their roster. The news revolves around KKR replacement for Mustafizur Rahman, who was bought by the franchise for INR 9.2 crore in the IPL 2026 auction. It all arose due to the political tensions between both countries, resulting in the various groups and fans in India demanding the exclusion of Rahman from the KKR roster. The mounting pressure was tough to handle for the BCCI, as they sent a clear directive to the Kolkata-based franchise.
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Why KKR Released Mustafizur Rahman Ahead of IPL 2026?
Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Kolkata Knight Riders were involved in a bidding war to add Mustafizur Rahman to their respective rosters in the IPL 2026 auction. In the end, the Knight Riders won the contest by shelling out INR 9.2 crore, and the left-arm pacer was set to represent the franchise.
Make way for Mustafizur Rahman, @KKRiders fans! 💜
The left-arm quick will play for the 3⃣-time champions at INR 9.2 Crore 💰#TATAIPL | #TATAIPLAuction pic.twitter.com/TWALm1MdKx
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 16, 2025
However, the Indian spiritual and political leaders slammed KKR and owner Shah Rukh Khan for including the 30-year-old in the squad, despite the fact that Hindu minorities were attacked in Bangladesh. Along with the killings of multiple Hindu men, several houses have been burned by the Bangladeshi population, resulting in major unrest in the country. The news triggered a political storm in India, and there were many leaders who were demanding the franchise to let go of the veteran Bangladesh cricket pacer.
KKR Media Advisory. 🔽 pic.twitter.com/ZUZB620Uv7
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) January 3, 2026
In his official statement, the BCCI secretary, Devajit Saikia, told news agency ANI that they have asked KKR released Mustafizur Rahman and will allow any replacement. Rahman has been in good form lately, securing 15 wickets in eight games of International League T20 (ILT20) 2025-26 for the Delhi Capitals. He has fared well in the IPL, picking up 65 wickets in 60 appearances. In the last edition, he bagged four wickets in three games for the Capitals at an economy of 7.90.
Potential Players Who Can Replace Mustafizur Rahman
The debate of KKR replacement for Mustafizur Rahman in IPL 2026 has been doing the rounds in recent days. The franchise would be looking to acquire a bowler who can contain runs and deceive batters with his variations in the middle and the death overs. The auction day witnessed many bowlers going unsold due to the purse limitations and the franchise opting to fill gaps in their team combinations. Here are the three bowlers who could join the KKR roster.
🚨 KKR IPL 2026 UPDATE 🚨
Afganistan bowler Naveen-ul-Haq most likely signed as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman…🟣🟡@KKRiders #KKR #ISN29 #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/XO8k2rnNun
— lndian Sports Netwrk (@IS_Netwrk29) January 4, 2026
#1 Naveen Ul Haq
The Afghanistan pacer returned to competitive cricket in the ILT20 2025-26. He took a total of four wickets in two games at an economy of 7 for the MI Emirates. With 271 wickets in 223 T20S, Naveen is a clever customer in the shortest format, and can trap the batters with his cutters, slower bouncers, and accurate yorkers. He has also done well in the IPL, securing 25 wickets in 18 games.
#2 Tom Curran
After KKR released Mustafizur Rahman, Tom Curran is also a lucrative option due to his all-around abilities. The English bowling all-rounder has been in good form in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL). Curran has scalped 10 wickets in six games for the Melbourne Stars at an economy of 8.18, with best figures of 3/26. Meanwhile, he can inflict significant damage on the opposition with the bat, as evident by his latest knock of 38 off 18.
#3 Fazalhaq Farooqi
Another Afghanistan pacer, Fazalhaq Farooqi, could turn out to be a suitable KKR replacement for Mustafizur Rahman. He impressed with his performances in ILT20 2025-26 by securing 14 wickets in 11 games for the Delhi Capitals. Farooqi can swing the ball both ways and can be effective in the power play as well. Although he went unsold in the IPL 2026 auction, the left-arm pacer has done well in T20S, securing 188 wickets in 150 games, and stands a chance to revive his IPL career.
🚨 NO MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN IN IPL 🚨
– BCCI Secretary has confirmed that board has asked KKR to release Mustafizur from the IPL squad. [India Today] pic.twitter.com/FRegqPbkR6
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 3, 2026
BCB Demands a Change in Venue for T20 World Cup Games
As the search for the KKR replacement for Mustafizur Rahman goes on, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expressed their displeasure at the BCCI’s decision. In response, President Aminul Islam has requested the ICC to shift their T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka. Bangladesh are scheduled to play four group matches in India, with three of them being in Kolkata and the other one in Mumbai.
🚨 BCB to write to ICC and BCCI
Seeks clarity on:
✧ Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion from IPL
✧ Security arrangements for Bangladeshi players, fans and media at the T20 World Cup
Bangladesh cricket fraternity now sceptical about playing group-stage matches in India pic.twitter.com/eAheFGsaUW
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) January 4, 2026
With a hostile environment in India towards Bangladesh, the board wants to ensure the players’ safety. However, the decision to shift matches in a gap of one month might be a tedious task for the ICC. Moreover, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has banned the IPL 2026 telecast in the country after the row erupted over the release of Rahman.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
The ICC may consider BCB’s request to shift their #T20WorldCup games out of India#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/zAtEBeqWGj
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) January 4, 2026
Meanwhile, BCB recently announced their 2026 home season, which also included a white-ball tour by India. As per the current situation, the bilateral series is not expected to take place before the political situation eases between both countries.
