Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is known for his love for cricket, is completely humiliated by the entire controversial episode involving Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and the ICC ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
In strong words, Tharoor said that politicizing sports is not healthy for the game, especially cricket, as there are countless people who just want to enjoy the competition on the field. The Congress MP not only criticized Bangladesh and Pakistan but also believed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took a wrong decision by barring Mustafizur Rahman from the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026).
Tharoor blames BCCI before T20 World Cup 2026
Behind the current controversial situation, the ignoring of Bangladesh fast bowler from IPL 2026 is playing a major role. This fast bowler was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a huge amount in the mini auction of IPL 2026. As soon as the Kolkata-based franchise included the Bangladeshi fast bowler in their squad, some groups started putting pressure on the BCCI to take a decision on the matter as tensions flared up again between India and Bangladesh.
Due to geopolitical tensions, the governing body for cricket in India directed KKR to release Rahman from the team. KKR did this as per the orders of BCCI. Tharoor said that BCCI took the wrong step on Mustafizur Rahman.
Speaking to reporters, Tharoor said, “Frankly, it is quite shameful that the game has been politicized this way from both sides. I don’t think Mustafizur (Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman) should have been denied a contract to play in Kolkata. It was very unfortunate.”
Now, Pakistan has joined the queue ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026
After Rahman was ruled out of IPL 2026, Bangladesh Cricket Board claimed that their players might face major security-related issues as they had to play in Kolkata and Mumbai. Bangladesh demanded to shift its matches from India to Sri Lanka. However, ICC rejected his plea and named Scotland instead of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s exit from the T20 World Cup 2026 took the controversy to a new phase as Pakistan also threatened a boycott. On Sunday, Pakistan government informed that its national team will not play against India in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 15 February.
Tharoor said that politics should not be involved in cricket. ICC and cricket matches can be the ideal platform to bring everyone together.
Shashi Tharoor demands ‘call off’
“Intrusion into politics – I think the Bangladeshi reaction was an overreaction, but it is also a reflection of that, and Pakistan is trying to show its solidarity with Bangladesh. This whole thing is getting out of control. I think we really need to come to the understanding that sports, especially a sport like cricket, which means so much to all people, should be a means of bringing us together at least on the playing field, rather than just letting it go on like that,” Shashi Tharoor Said further.
“I honestly think this is a warning to all concerned to contact each other on an emergency basis now; the ICC could be the forum for this – just say, ‘Let’s stop this nonsense…you can’t go on like this forever,'” he concluded by saying.
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