KKR release Mustafizur as Shah Rukh Khan faces backlash from India's BJP, religious leaders
The IPL franchise shared the update through a press statement today (3 January), where they added that the decision was taken after instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), co-owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, have officially confirmed that Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been released from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), scheduled to be held from March to May this year.
KKR had secured Mustafizur's services for Rs9.20 crore after an intense bidding war with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals at the players' mini-auction held last month.
The franchise shared the update through a press statement today (3 January), stating that the decision was taken following instructions from the IPL governing body, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
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"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 Indian Premier League (IPL) season," the statement said.
"The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India," it added.
According to the statement, the BCCI will allow KKR to sign a replacement player for the 30-year-old left-arm pacer in line with IPL regulations, with further details to be communicated in due course.
The issue had earlier triggered sharp reactions from Hindu religious leaders and politicians in India, many of whom targeted KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan after the franchise acquired Mustafizur amid tensions between India and Bangladesh.
Yesterday, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and two Hindu spiritual leaders criticised Khan over KKR's decision to sign the Bangladeshi pacer. Today, BJP leader Sangeet Singh Som and other religious figures welcomed the BCCI's instruction to KKR to release Mustafizur from the squad.
The developments come amid heightened tensions between India and Bangladesh following the fall of the Awami League government in 2024 and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's subsequent departure to India. Over the past few months, both countries have summoned each other's envoys over a range of contentious issues.
Earlier today, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told the media that the board asked KKR to release Mustafizur from the squad amid growing strain in bilateral ties between the two countries.
Pressure had been mounting on the BCCI over Mustafizur's participation in the IPL, amid allegations of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and India's expressed concern over the safety of minorities there.
Last year, the cricket boards of India and Bangladesh postponed a white-ball bilateral series. On Friday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board said the series will be played in Bangladesh in September this year, though there has been no commitment from the BCCI on the schedule yet.
The Indian board remains non-committal and is unlikely to agree to the tour if the political situation does not improve.
Mustafizur has featured in eight IPL editions since 2016, missing the tournament only in 2019 and 2020. He has previously played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
The upcoming edition was set to be his first season with three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders.
'Politicising of sport'
While some Indian right-wing leaders welcomed the cricket board's move, others criticised it.
Congress MP and renowned author Shashi Tharoor condemned the board action, calling it a "mindless politicisation of sports."
In a post on X, Tharoor wrote, "Recalling my views on the subject, now that BCCI has deplorably pulled the plug on Mustafizur. And what if the Bangladeshi player in question had been 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?"
What Hindu leaders said
Uttar Pradesh BJP leader Sangeet Singh Som accused Shah Rukh Khan of investing in a player from a country he claimed was "working against India" and asserted that Mustafizur would not be allowed to play in the IPL.
"On one hand, Hindus are being killed in Bangladesh, and on the other hand, cricketers are being bought in the IPL. The traitorous film actor Shah Rukh Khan has bought Bangladeshi cricketer Rahman for Rs9 crore. Such traitors have no right to live in this country," Som said.
Hindu spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya also criticised Khan, calling the situation unfortunate and denouncing attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh. He said the KKR management should remove the Bangladeshi player and demanded that the money paid to the cricketer be given to families of Hindu victims as an apology.
Another religious leader, Devkinandan Thakur, echoed similar sentiments, urging the KKR management not to field Mustafizur, according to NDTV.
"Devotees of Sanatan and Hindus, who made the KKR owner a star, see that the owner, without considering that Hindus in Bangladesh are being killed and burnt alive and girls are being assaulted, still includes Bangladeshi players in his team in India," he alleged.
Political backlash
Congress leader and MP Manickam Tagore condemned the remarks against Shah Rukh Khan, calling them an attack on India's pluralism, according to Indian media reports.
In a post on X, Tagore said hatred could not define nationalism and criticised the RSS for spreading division. "Calling Superstar Shah Rukh Khan a 'traitor' is an attack on India's pluralism. Hate cannot define nationalism. RSS must stop poisoning society," he wrote.
Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam had also urged Shah Rukh Khan to remove Mustafizur from the team "to protect India's interests".
Mata Prasad Pandey, the opposition leader in the Uttar Pradesh assembly, also criticised Som and the BJP over the remarks.
Congress leader Surender Rajput accused the BJP of targeting Shah Rukh Khan because of his religion. "They are attacking Shah Rukh Khan just because he is a Muslim," he told NDTV.
BJP ally and Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar downplayed Som's remarks, saying the BJP leader makes such statements "to stay in the limelight".
Last month, Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, founder of the Tipra Motha Party and royal scion of India's northeastern state of Tripura, also criticised the IPL and the BCCI over what he described as skewed recruitment priorities, referring to Mustafizur's acquisition.
Debbarma argued that expensive foreign signings reduce opportunities for domestic cricketers.
