The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of the IPL 2026 season.

The development was confirmed exclusively to India Today by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, bringing clarity to speculation surrounding the pacer’s future in the league.

“Due to the recent developments that are going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad,” Saikia said. He added that the board has also informed KKR that they will be allowed to sign a replacement player, should they choose to do so.

Mustafizur had been picked up by KKR for ₹9.20 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in December 2025, making him the only Bangladeshi cricketer to secure a contract for the upcoming season. However, the signing soon became controversial following objections from sections of the political spectrum and some religious groups.

The backlash intensified in the wake of reports concerning the killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh and India’s stated concerns over the safety of minorities there. BJP leader Kaustav Bagchi publicly raised objections to the participation of Bangladeshi players in IPL matches held in Kolkata, with criticism later extending to KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan for backing the signing.

While the BCCI did not directly address the political reactions, Saikia’s statement suggested the board took a broader view of the situation before intervening. The directive to release Mustafizur is understood to be a preventive measure aimed at avoiding further complications as preparations for IPL 2026 gather pace.

From a cricketing standpoint, the move leaves KKR short on overseas fast-bowling options. Mustafizur, known for his cutters and effectiveness on slower pitches, was expected to play a key role in the tournament. However, with the BCCI permitting a replacement signing, KKR now have the flexibility to reshuffle their squad ahead of the season.