The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing intense backlash after ordering Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman from the team ahead of IPL 2026, following political pressure due to repeated violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
The storm over the ethics of IPL and BCCI has intensified.
The upcoming IPL 2026 pre-season is embroiled in a controversy that centers on the administration of the league. In a move, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were directed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman.
In the second, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has retained Indian bowler Yash Dayal, who faces rape allegations. The decision to weigh Rahman and Dayal on different scales has sparked a storm of criticism and fans are openly accusing the BCCI of double standards.
Also read: India’s Bangladesh tour cancelled? BCCI secretary refuses to commit to tour after BCB cancels itinerary
Mustafizur Rahman Decision: A Geopolitical Direction
Amid deteriorating diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh, BCCI had directed the franchise to release Mustafizur Rahman. The 30-year-old became the most expensive Bangladeshi player ever bought in the IPL auction after KKR sealed the deal for a whopping Rs 9.2 crore.
The three-time IPL champions had acquired the left-arm pacer after a fierce bidding war with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL auction 2026 in Abu Dhabi last month. But after severe criticism from fans and political leaders, BCCI decided to ban Bangladeshi players in IPL 2026.
“Due to the recent developments, BCCI has directed franchise KKR to release one of its players, Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman, from its squad,” BCCI secretary Devaji Saikia was quoted as saying by ANI.
KKR forced to release Mustafizur Rahman
Following BCCI instructions, Kolkata Knight Riders have officially dropped Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad. The franchise confirmed the move on 3 January. It is being said that the franchise was not ready to release the bowler, but the board forced them to do so, which many did not like.
“Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL, as the regulator of the IPL, has directed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the team ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season,” KKR said in an official statement.
Yash Dayal controversy: Allegations, law and BCCI’s silence
After the announcement, fans criticized BCCI for double standards as KKR had released Rahman ahead of IPL 2026 after the alleged killing of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
Also Read: Mustafizur Rahman shares emotional message publicly as BCCI forces KKR to drop him from the squad
While many appreciated BCCI’s country-first stance, several social media users criticized the board for the move and accused them of double standards, citing the Yash Dayal case.
Some are calling it selective politics, while many have questioned how the BCCI allowed Dayal in the IPL despite facing serious legal trouble over an alleged rape case and sexual harassment case. The surprising thing is that BCCI has maintained silence on Dayal’s case.
The RCB bowler is yet to get a clean chit in these cases, and recently, the Jaipur POCSO Court rejected Dayal’s anticipatory bail plea, which means he could face arrest at any time for raping a 17-year-old minor multiple times. Earlier, the Allahabad High Court had granted interim relief to the RCB bowler from arrest in the sexual assault case.
Here’s how fans criticized BCCI over Yash Dayal and Mustafizur’s situation:
When will BCCI order to expel rapist Yash Dayal from RCB?
– Shamik (@iam_shamik_) 3 January 2026
When will BCCI take action against Yash Dayal? https://t.co/EN239eUc7T
– forever_yellow (@loyal_cskian) 3 January 2026
Admin please listen to us and ban Yash Dayal #BanYashDayal
– JSH ิ ิ ิ ิ ิ ิ (@KohliIsLove00) 3 January 2026
Yash Dayal is still in RCB https://t.co/EmqCtHvYlQ
– Dheerajkuthakida #ArujoOut (@DheerajVijay10) 3 January 2026
And Yash Dayal is still a part of RCB https://t.co/u88f7mKcXI
– hello (@haloerot) 3 January 2026
Yash Dayal is still in RCB https://t.co/EmqCtHvYlQ
– Dheerajkuthakida #ArujoOut (@DheerajVijay10) 3 January 2026
@bcci Still wants to support rapist Yash Dayal?? #IPL2026
– SK Kiran (@okaysaikiran) 3 January 2026
They are also not taking any action against rapists, sexual harassers and pedophiles like Yash Dayal.
But this does not mean that it is not right to ban Bangladeshi players when their state is creating hatred against India. With time we see Bangladesh and Pakistan through the same lens
– Retired KKR fan (@RBisw2712) 3 January 2026
KKR have released Fizz while RCB are still saving their R@pist hero Yash Dayal. Shameless franchise.
-‘ (@Ashwin_tweetz) 3 January 2026
This is appropriate for both IPL and KKR to avoid further controversy. Like he should also clarify Yash Dayal’s stand.
This is based on all the outrage on social media.
-Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) 3 January 2026
Mister. @lonsaikiaYou requested Kolkata Knight Riders to release a player. Kolkata Knight Riders did that favor to you. Now how to address the Yash Dayal issue?
– KnightridersXtra (@KKR_Xtra) 3 January 2026
Jay Shah and Amit Shah are allowing rapist Yash Dayal in IPL.
Yash Dayal is the rapist player of IPL.@IPL
– Sajid (@SajidGajan) 3 January 2026
But they can’t ask RCB to release that R@pist Yash Dayal ??? https://t.co/b4W0Rt0UCg
– Yes! (@poeticbirdie) 3 January 2026
Yash Dayal convicted in rape case and court rejects his bail plea.
RCB still retains himEven after knowing everything, BCCI should take action against RCB to retain him. pic.twitter.com/kBlyec5h6j
-Sarpanch Singh (Guri) (@Sarpanch_Singh_) 3 January 2026
So cricketers convicted/accused of sexual assault and rape (read: Yash Dayal, Scott Kuggeleijn and Mohsin Khan) are welcome to play the IPL, but a Bangladeshi cricketer is not allowed to play for reasons beyond his control?
– Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) 3 January 2026
Ideally BCCI should ban the entire RCB franchise for giving him a job despite multiple FIRs being filed against Yash Dayal..but sadly that won’t happen https://t.co/n1rwhaynJx
– Red (@Charizard_5_) 3 January 2026
What are your rules for Yash Dayal? @bcci Promise us that you will not play against Bangladesh and Pakistan in the World Cup. And why is Bangladesh coming to India,,
Is it the fault of KKR and SRK also?? @bcci #IPLAuction #IPL2026 #IPL2026 #KKRControversy
– Sambit Chattaraj (@iamsambit57) 3 January 2026
KKR has released Mustafizur Rahman, but this shameless franchise has still not released Yash Dayal. pic.twitter.com/9I7ZfBynbm
โ` (@Itz_Bl3ze) 3 January 2026
But they can’t ask RCB to release that r@pist Yash Dayal https://t.co/yfIsLNC2qP
โ ๐ ๐๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐ต๐ฎ๐ต (@MudasirShah2604) 3 January 2026
