File photo of Mustafizur Rahman© AFP
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 saw a controversial moment even before it began. Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, picked by Kolkata Knight Riders, was barred from playing in the tournament. Though no official reason was given, the political turmoil in Bangladesh was seen as a major factor behind the decision. Arun Dhumal, the current IPL chairman, was asked about the omission in a recent interview in Financial Times. Arun Dhumal was asked: “Politics keeps rearing its head in cricket. Pakistani players have not played in the IPL since 2009, and more recently, Kolkata Knight Riders released Mustafizur Rahman after the BCCI instructed the franchise to do so in January 2026. Is it unrealistic to delink the IPL from politics in the subcontinent?”
Dhumal replied: “It is unfortunate, I would say, the way things unfold at times. I do not think the government has any interest in or role to play in running cricket day to day. The government is supportive of cricket at large. But yes, sometimes events happen around us and decisions follow. I am sure good sense will prevail and that this will not be the case going forward.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who was auctioned for $1 million, from its 2026 squad. The decision did not go down well with the Bangladesh government and the public, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) responded by seeking the relocation of their team’s matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 from India to Sri Lanka, citing “security concerns” for its players. Despite repeated assessments, the ICC rejected the request, citing the absence of any credible security threats to Bangladeshi players. Bangladesh was eventually withdrawn from the T20 World Cup and replaced by Scotland.
The matter was eventually resolved, with the BCB avoiding a hefty fine from the ICC and being awarded the hosting rights for an ICC event in 2028. Bangladesh also decided to ban the broadcast of IPL matches in the country, although the ban was lifted recently.
As per the ICC Future Tours Programme, India is scheduled to play Bangladesh in a series, but the plan is currently on hold