The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly set to ban Bangladeshi cricketers from participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Many IPL teams also have franchises in foreign leagues and can adopt the same approach with Bangladeshi players that they have adopted with Pakistani cricketers.
Following BCCI’s instructions, Kolkata Knight Riders have been asked to release Mustafizur Rahman before the IPL 2026 season. KKR signed the Bangladesh bowler for Rs 9.20 crore in the IPL 2026 mini auction in Abu Dhabi. The three-time champions must sign a replacement before the season starts.
BCCI orders release of Mustafizur Rahman amid political and security concerns
The Board of Control for Cricket in India took the step following growing unrest in Bangladesh and strong reactions from many voices in India. Many public figures criticized Shahrukh Khan and demanded that Mustafizur Rahman should not take part in the IPL.
Political leaders of West Bengal also expressed objection. He warned that there would be serious consequences if Mustafizur played a match at Eden Gardens during the season.
With the situation in Bangladesh still tense and diplomatic relations strained, BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia said that Kolkata Knight Riders have been asked to immediately release Mustafizur from their team. He also confirmed that BCCI will allow KKR to sign a replacement player.
In the IPL 2026 auction, seven Bangladeshi players were part of the list. However, only Mustafizur attracted the interest of franchises. The rest were unsold, but Mustafizur was selected because of his record as a death over bowler.
BCCI has the final authority on IPL decisions, franchises are bound by league rules
According to a report in Cricbuzz, this decision cannot be taken by any franchise alone and only the Board of Control for Cricket in India has the authority to take such a call.
Franchises and players operate under strict contracts and league rules, which do not allow teams to act independently or make arbitrary decisions outside the IPL framework.
A senior IPL official said, “It was BCCI’s decision and the franchises cannot take an arbitrary decision. The franchises and the players are bound by certain contracts which they cannot move beyond. IPL rules prevent any kind of arbitrariness.”
Bangladesh players may face possible boycott from IPL and Indian-owned franchises
The report said that Bangladeshi players may be unavailable for India-affiliated franchises, a situation similar to what Pakistani players have faced since 2008. This ban is not limited to the Indian Premier League only.
Many IPL franchises also have teams in foreign leagues and have consistently avoided signing Pakistani players there too. The same approach could potentially be applied to Bangladeshi cricketers, who may get fewer opportunities with Indian-owned teams in various leagues in the future.
The report said, “‘Recent developments’, however, have restricted players from Bangladesh to a much greater extent, as have players from Pakistan since 2008. Not just in the IPL, franchises, many of whom also own teams in foreign leagues, are increasingly avoiding hiring players from Pakistan. The same fate may also befall Bangladesh players, who sporadically represent some India-owned teams in different leagues. Are.”
Also Read: BCCI officially orders KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman ahead of IPL 2026 amid India-Bangladesh tension
